Joseph Paul Occhipinti

Joseph Paul Occhipinti, age 90, died on January 29, 2019, in Grants Pass, Oregon. He was born on July 17, 1928, in New York, New York, to Giovanni and Angelina Occhipinti. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII as a mechanic and in the Constabulary in the American Zone in Germany. After his discharge, he worked as a mechanic for the Alaska Railroad, as well as at the 4th Avenue Theater in Anchorage, where he met Darlene Ross. Shortly after they married, they moved to Whittier, California. Joe worked as a plastics machinist, owning a machine shop in California and in Grants Pass after the family moved here in 1974. He also worked at Montgomery Ward and owned The Italian Place, a deli on G Street. He taught machining at RCC before retiring. Joe was a member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church and was a 4th Degree Knights of Columbus. He was very involved in several parish ministries.

Joe is survived by his children: Judy (LeRoy) Tomes of Medford; Theresa (John) DeWees of Junction City; Mary Ann Fey of Fairbanks, AK; Dianne (Paul) Phelan of Wilderville; Linda Occhipinti of Anchorage, AK; Paul (Sandy) Occhipinti of Nampa, ID; Ginnie Occhipinti of Eagle River, AK; Janine (Steve) Attlesperger of Terrebonne; and Amy (Matt) Charley of Grants Pass. He is also survived by his brother Constantine (Anita) Occhipinti of Chandler, AZ; his sister Concetta (Donald) Jensen of Eugene; 40 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Adolph, Angelo, and Philip Occhipinti; infant sister Concetta Occhipinti; and infant granddaughter Kimberly Gregg.

A funeral Mass is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Monday, February 11, 2019, at St. Anne Catholic Church, preceded by recitation of the rosary at 9 a.m. in the church. A reception will follow in the parish center, followed by a graveside committal service at Eagle Point National Cemetery at 1 p.m. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Joe’s life.

The family would like to thank the community of Grants Pass, especially his church family, donut shop buddies, and the compassionate staff at Brookdale and Providence Hospice, for the love and care Joe received. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Anne’s Knights of Columbus or Oregon Right to Life, both organizations near to Joe’s heart.

Chapel of the Valley-L.B. Hall Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.