Joseph P. Menno

Joseph Menno 93 years old passed away in his home surrounded by his loved ones. Joe was predeceased by his beloved wife Theresa of 69 years, his parents Leonard and Lena Menno as well as brothers Albert and Donald and sister Palma.

Joseph was the first-born son to his parents. Joe was very proud of his Italian heritage as his father and grandfather instilled this pride in him. He received his work ethic from his father who actually made his confirmation suit out of one of his and his sense of family was definitely from his mother who loved everyone that walked through her door. He would tell his kids that he was around before there was such a thing as a tv and listened to Amos and Andy on the radio once a week. At the time we did not believe him.

One weekend he went on a guy’s trip and met a girl named Terry at Crystal Beach in Canada. He asked her to dance, she supposedly said no but gave him what would turn out to be the maid of honor at their wedding’s phone number. The rest, as they say, is history.

Joe enlisted in the Air Force and served during the Korean War. He established a love for his country and friendships that carried on through his life with planning reunions once a year with the men he served with and their wives.

Once he was discharged, he married Terry about a year later. A year after that they had their first-born Robert. Their daughter Michele would come along 12 years later. He worked several jobs keeping food on the table and afford their first house. What he became most proud of was being a fire fighter for Buffalo New York. He was actually promoted to the position of driving the mayor and became very close with 3 of them.

In 1974 after another blizzard, Joe and Terry decided it was time to move to Lauderdale by the Sea Florida where for the first year here, Joe was a police officer for Sea Ranch Lakes and owned apartment buildings with our Mom. Once he decided being a police officer for a small community was not for him, Joe became a real estate agent and went on to be a commercial real estate agent for almost 40 years.

We have so many great memories of our Dad. He had taken Bobby to fish where Bobby fell in the water and almost drowned. They went on many cruises and trips together, but I think the one that Bob values the most is taking Dad on the honor flight in 2017. Michele would wait patiently by the door for her Daddy to come home and basically launch herself into his arms – he never dropped her once. Her graduation present was a trip to Italy where our grandfather met us in his village. Truly an experience I will never forget, Dad getting to see where it all started for the first time as he traveled back to Italy many times.

Our Dad was a member of the Veritas Italian Club for many years serving as president and vice president over the years as well. He loved to fish and go hunting in Buffalo with his brothers and father. He loved Nas Car racing and one of his favorite tv shows was Mash as it took place during the Korean War. He loved old westerns and football. He was basically the all-American guy who loved his family, put God first and would help anyone in any way he possibly could.

Joseph Menno at the age of 93 passed away peacefully at home. We know he missed our Mom as he had been with her most of his life and really did not know a life without her in it. My brother said Mom had to go first to make sure everything was ready for our Dad when he got there and knowing Mom as well as we do there isn’t a doubt that is the case.

Dad we know you are with Mom now as we are sure she was there to greet you. It had been a long time since you got to see your parents and brothers and sister. We know you are all together and that you are happy and at peace with no more pain. Rest in peace Dad in your eternal home, you deserve it. We will love and miss you every day.

Services are Friday January 19 at 12:30PM with entombment immediately following at Our Lady Queen of Heaven cemetary.

In lieu of flowers we ask donations be made to the Veteran's Association.