I am just sick I just heard about Joe, several people said they thought I knew. My son Jim feels the same way.  Lena: lots of love and prayers are flying your way.  We have so very many good memories and love for you both.  -

Joe and I were competitors in the wine business for 25 years.The best part we were friends all that time.The last time I saw Joe was at china garden where we both were having lunch several years ago. He then reminded me this was where we met some 45 years ago.A true and caring gentleman .

Some of my fondest memories as Chronicle Food editor involve Joe and Lena. What wonderful friends and cooks, especially their wonderful Italian sausage. Thanks for helping me learn about Italian foods and wine. Sincerest condolences and love.

Dee, regret to hear about the passing of your father. My sincere condolences to you and your family.

Troy Behringer

Lena and family,  We are with Adalgisa's mother in Italy and just learned of Joe's passing this morning, from Dominique.  We're sorry we couldn't be with you but I'm sure there were hundreds whose lives were touched by Joe that were there.  Our prayers are sent to Heaven for him and your family.
Mike and Adalgisa Marshall

I love and will miss Uncle Doe.  I have fond memories of him at family gatherings always at the microphone to lead our family in celebrations.

I am so sorry that i just found out about Joe's passing..I remember the good times working along side Joe at the Italian festival and with him at the Italian Federation..My sincerest sympathay and condolences to Lena and his family

Lena and family, as time passes may you be comforted by the love and support of all the people whose lives Joe touched.  Our prayers will be with you as we celebrate a lfe well lived.  Much love, The Talleys

Doe was a wonderful man that I know will be sorely missed by his family.  He always had a smile he always made anyone and everyone in the room.  I  am so sorry that I couldn't make it to the funeral but I am praying for Lena and all of the kids.  God Bless you all!

Therese Samperi

My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

My condolences to Lena and the family. Mr. Joe was a g.entleman in every sense of the word. He and Lena were always so welcoming. I especially appreciate  their including me and my brother in their annual Santa Lucia celebration. He will be missed.

Sending my sympathies. You are in my prayers at this difficult time.

Dear Lena and family, Our family is truly sorry for your loss and will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers during these most difficult days.  May our Lord confort you and keep you strong.

Janie Failla Johnson

Dear Lena,
We are saddened for your loss.
 Joe was such an inspiration for me and so many people. 
We are honored that we were able to share some time with both you and Joe.
Our prayers are with you.
James and Debbie LaBarba

Uncle Joe you will be truly missed. My prayers go out to his family for their loss. I worked with Uncle Joe for many years selling wine and he taught me alot. No matter where you went if you were with Uncle Joe you were treated like family. I will miss him. Reed Brown

Dear Dee, I was so saddened to hear of our Uncle Doe passing on...you comforted me with a call on Fathers Day after my Dad passed on & I will never forget the LOVE-CONNECTION we shared with that sweet 'call'...this is my very special heart-felt 'call' back at cha...Uncle Doe was the BEST SANTA CLAUS ever at Aunt Lena's Christmas parties & I know he found his Santa costume when he arrived in HEAVEN! Know God promises that our SORROW will turn to JOY...Love, Cousins Tony & Carol

My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.

Lena,

I am so sorry for your loss.  I will keep your family in prayer.

"Cousin Joe was like ; Uncle Joe to me, I really enjoyed the time I got to spend with him. He was such an inspiration to me and I admire what he did for the Federation and family. May you enjoy your after life Joe"

To the Mandola family, you are in our thoughts and prayers during this celebration of Mr. Mandola's life.  May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.  Amen.

Deepest sympathy from the family of Joe & Clara Sedita - our thoughts & prayers are with your family,
Sincerely, cousins: Salvador J. Sedita, Vita Sedita Uresti, Joseph R. Sedita, Damon Sedita, Richard Sedita, Anita Sedita Luna & Mary Sedita Garb

Uncle Joe was the glue for our Italian community in soooo many ways.  His compassion for people was always at the forefront.  He was a leader, teacher, friend & unconditional to all.  Let us honor him, by living and being the example he gave to us all. We will miss seeing you, Uncle Joe, but will keep you in our hearts forever.  Thanks for the wonderful memories.  May God Bless the family during 
this sorrowful time!
Sandra Montalbano

Myself and all the guys from Gulf Coast Boiler Service extends our sympathy to the Mandola family

We are very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you!

Uncle Joe will always be remembered as a friend.  He helped nuture my love for the Italian American Culture and my love of wines.

Unlce Joe would always bring us  gardenia's here at Glazer's from his garden.  Whenever I see a gardenia, I always think of uncle Joe.  He was a thoughtful man.  Your family are in my prayers.

Della Pullen, Katy, Texas

One fine man. A smile that made you happy. Will be misses but not forgotten. God's speed.

Our sincere sympathy - James & Nan Liuzza

Dear Lena and Family, Please be assured of our thoughts and prayers as you say goodbye to such a wonderful man. Blessing to each of you.

Dearest Lena and family, I'm truly sorry for your loss. Joe was a beautiful inspiration to us all, may he rest in peace. May our beloved mother Mary cover you all in her mantel of sweet love. May God bless and keep you during your time of sorrow. In Christ love,

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Joe was a wonderful person loved by all who knew him... may his soul rest in  peace...our prayers go out to the family...God bless you all. 

Gary and Ginger Danna Maddi Smith      Nashville Tenn.

Dearest Lena, Jeannine, Frankie, Dee & Sam, 
I want you all to know that you are all in our hearts. All of my children send their love, MaryBeth, Hans, Phillip, & Christina. 
We all have so many wonder years to reflect on, with love and laughter. I especially remember some of our family times as though they were yesterday. Thank God for those times.  
Love you always,
Kathleen

Lena and family,
Joe was a joy to all who knew him and will be remembered for his laughter and love for family!  I know he's in good company with my grandparents (Mary & Tony LaBarba) and enjoying his life up there as he did on earth.

My condolences to the family of Mr. Mandola. May you be comforted by looking forward to a time when all causes of death will be no more.

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

Lena, there are no words to express the sadness we feel for your loss of Joe. We send our deepest sympathy to you and your family, our prayers are with all of you.  Your faith has always been an inspiration.  I pray that same faith will help you bear your loss.

God bless you and may he always keep you in his sacred heart.

Bill & Julia Rodriguez

"Come to me all of you who are weary... and I will give you full rest." 
 Matthew 11:28

God bless all of the Mandola family;  whoever knew Uncle Joe has been blessed;  I have especially been blessed due to the fact he was my Godfather and of course Aunt Lena my Godmother;  Uncle Joe made me feel extra special and I will always remember that;  he was truly a Saint on Earth and will be sorely missed.  Love to all

Dear Lena and all the Mandola family, I offer you my deepest sympathy on your loss of Papa Joe.  He truly showed us how to live a life well and he has left all of you with many special memories that will help carry you through this time of grieving.  He had a special charm about him that allways made everyone feel welcomed and the twinkle in his eye showed you he was full of  fun and mischief.  For me he was the heart of the Italian Cultural and Community Center (ICCC.) He became the first President of the ICCC at the Milford House and his legacy will always be a part of the heart and soul of the ICCC.  Lena, I know you will miss him dearly but I know your faith in God, your love of family and friends will carry you through this time. I offer my prayers and special thoughts to all the Mandola's.

With love and deep sympathy,
JoAnn Zinnante

Poppa Stoppa as I frequently called him will be deeply missed by me and I know he will be missed even more 
by Mrs. Mandola, Jeanine, Frank, Dee, Sam and their families.  I am very proud to have known Joseph F. Mandola for more than 45 years.

Oscar Sicola & Family

To all of the Mandola Family, I am so sorry for your loss.  My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.  

My deepest sympathy, 
Pauline Consoli Leaumont

Lena, Jeannine and families.  We are so sorry to hear of Joe's death and especially sorry that we are working as Camp Hosts in the mountains near Durango and will not be able to a part of what no doubt will be a sad but grand Italian celebration of Joe's Life and Death.  Joe was a great person to know, friendly and always interested in our life happenings. We enjoyed seeing him at St. Ann noon Mass in recent years.  We will always remember how he made me feel special when in his presence.  Our prayers and love for y'all. May you find strength, understanding, and peace in this time of grief.

To the Entire Mandola Family,

We were so saddened to learn of Joe's passing.  Please try to take comfort in knowing is with the Lord and is at peace.  Lena, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

TO MRS.LENA AND TO MY DEAR FRIEND FRANK AND TO ALL THE FAMILY.OUR TWO FATHER'S " JOE & JOE SPENT MANY A FUN TIME TOGETHER AS THEY WERE GROWING UP AND THEIR CLOSE FRIENDSHIP SHOWED OVER THE YEAR'S, AND FOR ME EVERY TIME I SAW MR.JOE HE REMINDED ME SO MUCH OF DAD AND I ALWAYS ENJOYED LISTENING TO THE STORIES OF THE TWO JOE'S BACK IN THE DAY. MR.JOE WAS FINE MAN AND HE WILL BE TRULY MISSED BY US ALL.I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND OUR CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY AND REST ASSURED THE TWO " JOE'S " ARE TOGETHER AGAIN WITH OUR DEAR LORD.

OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY AND PRAYER GO OUT   TO THE FAMILY HAVE MANY GREAT MEMORIES FROM YEARS BACK TO UNCLE FRANK & AUNT JOHANNA HOUSE AT  HOLIDAY TIMES JOE  HAS ALWAYS BEEN A GREAT COUSIN TO HAVE  AROUND ALWAYS GOOD FOR SOME GOOD CHEER LOVE THE MICHAEL BUA FAMILY

I will always think of Joe when I see gardenias. He certainly enriched my life. Prayers and thoughts to Lena and the family.

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

To the Mandola Family,

May God watch over your family as you mourn and let all your memories bring a smile to you as you guys all remember the happy times of family gatherings.

Aunt Lena, I will always remember dancing with Uncle Doe at my and Sam's wedding. He glided me across the dance floor like a feather. I will always remember the get togathers at the bay and how he would always pray before we would eat your famous gumbo. I have only been in the family 19 years and still have so many good memories of Uncle Doe. We love you Aunt Lena and you will be in our prayers.

TO the Mandola family, Uncle Joe as he was know to our wine industry will be so greatly missed yet so remembered. Joe was a real legacy, and loved by all. My prayers are with your entire family.

The Blay Ruffino Family send their deepest sympathy for the loss of a man who love and adored his wife, Lena,children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. A man of dignity, knowlege, and loyalty to the very ones that brought him joy and laughter. A Great Teacher and Mentor, you have touched the lives of many. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Mandola Family.

What a Great Man, with a Great Family. God Bless you all.
Mary Ann, Janice, Jessica and John M. Carrabba

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this sorrowful time.  Embrace your memories of this special person to help you smile.

DEAR Lena and Joe's family:
For the past 30 years, I have been able to call Joe Mandola a dear friend in the truest meaning of FRIEND!I have seen him run with the leadership of th4e Federation, show pride as he was honored by his Italy, and watch him lovingly embrase every member of his family and extended family. With pride I have accepted Joe's pronouncement to me that "you are an honorary Italian!"
Lena, words escaped me when I heard of 
Joe's passing...know that I am only a phone call away if I can help you in any way. May his live and love for all of you be a lasting membory. love gloria ribnick.

Joe was an inspiration to me and a man I am truly honored to have known. He was a dedicated and passionate man; and he will be missed by many. Lena my prayers are with you and the family during this difficult time. 
With all my love, Carl

May your husband,father & grandfather rest in peace. Our condolences to your family...Joseph Sr., Roxanne Mancuso

Mrs. Mandola,
So sorry for your loss. My love,thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.  May God watch over you and help you to get through this.

Dear Aunt Lena and all my wonderful Mandola cousins,

This world will not be the same without Uncle Doe.  I hope you can take comfort during this very difficult time knowing he has now seen the face of God.  Love, a very proud niece of Joseph F. Mandola, Antonette Danna

To the Mandola Family,
Our deepest sympathy for the passing of Pawpaw Mandola - We will miss seeing him at the deli and he will forever be in our hearts! May the Lord comfort you and wrap his loving arms around you today and in the days to come.
Cliff, Renee, Chelsy and Leslie Ethridge

I am so sorry to hear the sad passing of Cousin Joe. I am not sure if I will beable to make the services since I am taking care of Cousin Pearl.  You are all in my thoughts and prayers.  Love to all,

With sincere sympathy for your loss. Please be assured of my prayers for your Dad and grandfather and the happy repose of his soul, as well as for each of you. May angels lead him into paradise.

OBITUARY

Joseph F. Mandola

March 16, 1923 – July 7, 2012

Earthman Funeral Directors

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