Joseph Paul Schilleci Sr.

SCHILLECI, JOSEPH PAUL, SR., age 70, of Pelham, passed away November 16, 2011. He was a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, and friend to all he met. He will always be loved and remembered. "PopPop," as his grandchildren affectionately called him, served in the U.S. Navy from 1961 to 1965. He attended the University of Alabama for two years and received his degree in the first graduating class at University of Alabama, Birmingham. He was employed with B.F. Goodrich Tire Centers for 36 years. PopPop loved Alabama football and attended almost every Crimson Tide game with his wife of 45 years, the former Nina Ann Tortorici. For a time, he was a regular call-in guest known as "Joe from Downtown" on Birmingham's Sports Talk Radio. Joe is survived by Nina; one daughter, Teresa Schilleci Harpman (Allen); one son, Joseph Paul Schilleci Jr. (Tina); four grandchildren, Robby and Allie Marie Harpman, and Lauryn and Noah Schilleci; one sister, Ruth Covington; five nephews; and three nieces. The Funeral Wake will be from 5-7:30 p.m. Sunday, November 20, 2011 at Ridout's Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham, with the Wake Service that evening at 7:30. The Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 21, 2011 at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Indian Springs, followed by the 2 p.m. committal service at Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo. Special thanks to all of the staff at Northway Health & Rehab and the staff of the Safe Harbor unit at the VA Medical Center in Birmingham for the love and care provided to Mr. Schilleci. Memorial gifts may go to the Safe Harbor Unit at VA Medical Center, Birmingham.