January 15, 2012

WATERTOWN, N.Y.  —  Joseph P. Scordo, 90, of 808 Coffeen St., passed away Jan. 15, at Samaritan Medical Center, one day after celebrating his 90th birthday. He died peacefully, surrounded by his loving family. 

Born Jan. 14, 1922, at 241 Breen Ave., a son of Vincenzo James and Marianna Agnesina Scordo, he was one of 11 children. He attended Boon Street School, and then graduated in June 1939 from Watertown High School. 

He took a job with the NYA (National Youth Administration) with which he would travel around the North Country performing various service projects. One of those jobs as he recalled was painting the wrought iron fence at the Sackets Harbor Military Cemetery in Sackets Harbor. He joined the U.S. Army in October 1942. He received basic training in various locations: Camp Lee in Virginia, Vancouver Barracks in Washington State, Camp Adair in Oregon, and lastly, Camp Van Dorn in Mississippi. 

He then sailed on a Liberty ship from New York City to North Africa. From there they sailed across the Mediterranean Sea in a convoy headed for Italy. They came under attack by German fighter planes and a ship next to his was sunk. He served in a support battalion known as the 299th Quartermaster Unit. He was honorably discharged in November 1945. 

He returned to Watertown and worked at the New York Air Brake where his father and his brother Ben were also employed. He worked there until July 1948 when he was hired as a letter carrier with the United States Post Office. Mr. Scordo worked for the Post Office carrying mail for 26 years before he retired in 1974. He was well loved by all of the families that he delivered to and was often referred to as “Joe the Mailman,” especially by the residents of Paddock Street, Ten Eyck Street, and Flower Avenue. 

In the summer of 1955 he was introduced to his future wife, Marian Murphy, by his sister Kay. Kay and Marian worked together as telephone operators at the New York Telephone Company. Their first date was on July 23, 1955. They went out to dinner at the Edgewood Restaurant in Alexandria Bay. Joe proposed to Marian on Nov. 19, 1955, and they were married on May 19, 1956, at St. John’s Church in Plattsburgh. Mrs. Scordo passed away Sept. 6, 1994. 

Mr. Scordo was a communicant of St. Anthony’s Church and a life member of the Italian American Civic Association. He was a member of the American Legion Post #61, the VFW Post #1400 and the National Association of Letter Carriers. Joe was known for growing and selling corn, taking his kids, nieces and nephews fishing and remembering people’s names and addresses. He also enjoyed going to McDonald’s and the Fairgrounds Inn for lunch. He had many friends there and referred to the Fairgrounds Inn as his second home. 

He was a die-hard New York Yankees fan, and enjoyed attending his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events. 

For the last several years his 92-year-old brother Ben has lived with Joe and assisted in his care. They enjoyed watching sporting events on TV and spending time together. Caregivers of Watertown also provided his home healthcare for the past several years. Joe looked forward to seeing them on a daily basis. 

Surviving are two daughters and their husbands, Kathy and John Flint, Canton, and Maria and Dane Ellingsworth, Watertown; four sons and their wives, James Patrick and Karen, Watertown, John Joseph, Gouverneur, Mark Benjamin and Tammy, Dexter, Patrick Joseph and Wanda, Watertown; a stepson and his wife; (John) Michael and Pirjo Murphy, Canton; 17 grandchildren, Jason, Kaitlin, Tiffany, Chris, Christina, Jimmy, Mariah, Ryan, Sean, Megan, Kyle, Brendon, Tyler, Zachary, Alyssa, Matt and Laura; one great grandson Ryan; a brother Fortunato “Ben”, Watertown, four sisters and a brother in law; Caterina “Kay” and Fortunato “Fred” Benedetto, Watertown, Antionetta, Carmelina A., Lucia A., all of Watertown; and several nieces and nephews. 

Two brothers, Sebastian “Gus”, Giacomo C. “Jack, three sisters Frances, Mary and Sr. Grace, all died before him. 

Calling hours will be 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, at the D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. At 7:10 the American Legion will conduct a remembrance service. A prayer service will be Wednesday at 12:15 p.m. at the funeral home with a funeral Mass following at 1 p.m. at St. Anthony’s Church with Rev. Donald Robinson officiating. Burial with military honors will be in Glenwood Cemetery. 

Contributions may be made to Credo Community Center, 595 W. Main St., Watertown, NY 13601 or to St. Anthony’s Church, 850 Arsenal St., Watertown, NY 13601. 

Condolences may be made to www.dlcalarco.com.

Information provided by D.L. Calarco Funeral Home and Newzjunky.com, Watertown