Joseph Cione

Joseph Cione of Apex, North Carolina and parishioner of Saint Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church, died peacefully Tuesday morning. Joseph was born Giuseppe “Pino” Cirincione on October 23rd, 1925 in Gioiosa Marea, a small fishing village on the North Coast of Sicily. His early experiences were of fresh sea air, triumphs on the soccer pitch, the tragic death of two siblings, the intensity of an extended family fighting for a country at war, and most importantly the unconditional love of his mother, Rosina Cirincione. Joseph grew up quickly and at the age of 22 walked to the harbor in Palermo and boarded “Marine Shark” with his mother to begin his journey to the United States.

On March 27, 1947 Joseph sailed past the Statue of Liberty and into the Manhattan harbor. His father, Gaetano Cirincione, welcomed Joseph to America and Joseph’s new life began. His first job was in a food packing plant in Queens where he began his working career. He became a waiter in an Italian restaurant, developing friendships and learning the complexities of written and spoken English.

Not long after his arrival in America, Joseph found his way to the Italian American Theater Group in Greenwich Village and auditioned for a comedy, “Questa è la Vita.” He won a supporting role, and quickly became addicted to the craft of acting and the applause of the audience. While the theater group disbanded, and Joseph’s acting career was short and sweet, he would be introduced to Rosaria (Sara) Troia at a party after the group’s final performance.

In Joseph’s own words, Sara’s voice “had a positive ring that said: Everything will be OK.” Their first date was to see Hamlet in Times Square. Joseph and Sara’s chemistry and companionship were nearly instantaneous, and over Christmas that year they were engaged to be married. On November 11, 1950 Joseph and Sara said their vows at the Church of the Nativity in NYC. A year after their wedding celebration, they brought their first child into the world. 18 years later they were blessed with their sixth child. In Joseph’s words, “children are a gift from God.” Joseph provided for, nurtured, educated, coached, and loved his six children intensely, and with that spirit of gratitude for having been given a gift, every day of his life. The vows Joseph and Sara shared with each other would be renewed, honored, and cherished until the present day, comprising 70 years of devotion and love.

In March 1953, Joseph took his oath of citizenship and joyfully became an American citizen. Later that year he became an associate in the NYC Department of City Planning, helping design street closings, street openings, and park developments in his adopted homeland. He registered in the Continuing Education program at Queens College to get closer to his ultimate dream of being a teacher. He also joined the Army Reserves Engineering unit, leveraging his drafting experience from city planning to help serve his new country. He turned out to be quite a soldier, and even earned a sharpshooter ribbon for his marksmanship. After three years of service, he was honorably discharged as a Specialist First Class.

Joseph registered in the Teacher Development program at Brooklyn College, taking late evening classes after the children were in bed, on the path to fulfilling his career dream. In June 1961,

Joseph graduated cum laude with a degree in French Language and Literature and passed the NYC licensing examination. After 8 years working for the city, Joseph began his teaching career at Marine Park Junior High School in Brooklyn, fulfilling his dream. In the summers, Joseph worked as a Customs agent at JFK airport, using his fluency in four languages to welcome and stamp the passports of global icons Luciano Pavorotti, Mother Teresa, Sofia Loren and thousands of other visitors to his country.

Joseph had achieved his career ambitions in his new country but that was just the beginning of the impact he would have on his students, his family, his community, and all those he encountered. He would teach thousands of students over decades of service in New York and North Carolina. He published two autobiographies recounting his life in Italy and his journey in the United States, as well as a treasured book of poetry. In retirement, he painted, gardened, coached and tutored immigrants learning English while loyally following his beloved New York Mets baseball team. His family will forever cherish the stories he shared and the way he shared them. Joseph’s joy, energy, and presence captivated his audiences and provided a window into his spirit. His hand gestures, facial expressions, Sicilian phrases, and comedic timing will live on in all who had the pleasure to spend time with him.

In his life, Joseph was a son and a brother; an immigrant, a laborer, and a citizen; a soldier and a scholar; a teacher and a coach; a husband; a father, grandfather, great grandfather, and great great grandfather; a poet, a painter and an author; a friend; and a faithful servant of God. Joseph’s life is filled to the brim with the riches of service, family, and love. His life is a celebration of the triumph of the human spirit and the faithful embrace of God’s love. In his death we celebrate that triumph, and we cherish his impact that lives on through his family and his communities.

Joseph is survived by Sara Cione, his wife of over 70 years; five children, Rosanna Granado (nèe Cione), Delia Donofrio (nèe Cione), Marisa Velez-Spina (nèe Cione), Laura Cione, and Joseph Cione; and 15 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. He is predeceased by his son Thomas Cione, his mother Rosina Cirincione, his father Gaetano Cirincione, his brothers Taddeo Cirincione and Andrea Cirincione, and his sister Anna Cirincione.

A viewing and funeral mass is scheduled for Friday, September 3rd, at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Apex. The viewing will take place from 12pm-2pm and the mass will begin at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you donate to Catholic Charities of Raleigh and Transitions LifeCare Hospice.