Joseph J. Cipolla

Joseph James Cipolla of Bethpage, NY passed away on October 3, 2023 after a courageous battle against glioblastoma. He celebrated his “68th birthday” on “September 27th” surrounded by the unrelenting love and physical presence of his family, relatives, friends and the music he had a passion for up until the early morning hours prior to his passing.

He is predeceased by his loving wife of 41 years, Margaret Cipolla; parents, Helen and Joseph Cipolla, and survived by his loving and devoted daughter Marie Cipolla, brother Anthony Cipolla, nieces, nephews and great nieces/nephews.

Joseph, affectionately called “Fotcho” by his “life-long childhood friends,” was born and raised in Maspeth, Queens, NY. While growing up he displayed an advanced curiosity about how objects around him technically worked - which led him as a toddler to begin deconstructing his parents’ home appliances whenever he had an opportunity to.

He graduated from Grover Cleveland High School and upon completing an Associates Degree in Electronics at Queensborough Community College, Joseph became the sole proprietor of a successful business he named MDI where he developed an impeccable reputation of excellence and customer loyalty in the field of medical equipment imaging specializing in women’s health. He later was recruited by the Phillips Corporation and served as a lead Global Specialist in Sales and Service for Women’s Healthcare Ultrasound Equipment where his talents in engineering and sales supported hospitals and medical facilities throughout the region.

Joseph loved engaging in detailed conversation about his passions with family, friends and colleagues; always having something to share or a story to tell. He just couldn’t sit still and excelled in every goal he relentlessly pursued throughout his life to the point of ultimate perfection.

As a dedicated loving husband and father he made and shared a beautiful life together with his wife Margaret and daughter Marie in Bethpage, NY - From creating memorable adventures sailing together on their twenty-three foot fishing boat - to endless days splashing in their backyard pool while generously hosting annual holiday barbecues and parties; the Cipolla’s made everyone always feel most welcomed and well fed.

As an agile athlete and ardent sportsman, Joseph excelled in racquetball, softball, boating, fishing and loved riding his bike for hours, twenty to thirty miles a day, throughout his local trails on Long Island. He also enjoyed playing golf and was most proud of his recent accomplishment of winning the “C” Flight Club Championship at the Oyster Bay Saturday Men’s Golf Club.

As a talented musician, Joseph began playing drums in his youth and later became an accomplished guitar player and avid collector. Whenever Joe chose to learn a new song on his guitar he wouldn’t perform it live until it met his note-for-note standards in timing, tone and nuances as a testament to his love of music and the respect he had for each songs composer. He generously volunteered his talent and time at church playing acoustic guitar every Sunday at Our Lady of Mercy’s 9:00am mass for the past 15 years and most recently was proud to perform Eric Clapton’s Layla on guitar and lead vocals - including the guitar solo; amongst other songs at a local night club.

As a skillful craftsman and master carpenter, Joseph loved working with his hands and had a passion for tracking down the finest exotic woods he could find to complete every particular project he was working on. He would relentlessly search local and online lumber suppliers and even rent a truck and travel to another state when he had to personally pick it up. From crafting beautiful oak moulding and multiple indestructible furniture pieces all around the house, including a cherry wood hope chest, Joe lovingly supported every decoupage creative idea his devoted wife Margaret came up with.

In his latter years, Joseph set his sights on combining his craftsmanship, technical skills, and musicianship together with his passion for wood to begin building his very own custom made guitars. After pursuing his dream of being a Luthier (guitar maker) for ten years, he finally realized his dream by building what he proudly called “the ultimate electric guitar” and then proceeded to begin the process of designing and building custom acoustic guitars with the support of family, friends, and the generosity of a local talented Luthier in Kings Park, NY who provided Joe with unfettered access to his shop space, and specialized saws and tools.

Joseph will be missed dearly by his family, friends and colleagues.