Joseph Daniel Giancola Jr. "Joey" died Monday March 9, 2015, in a tragic car accident in Fulton, Calif. He was 27. At the time of his death he resided in Guerneville, Calif. with his sweetheart Rebecca.
Joey was born in San Jose August 28, 1987––the only son to parents Carolyn Jamieson-Tillman and Joseph Giancola. In Morgan Hill, Calif., they raised Joey and his four sisters. From birth, Joey faced great obstacles to survive major congenital heart defects. He had open heart surgery at 4 years-old and continued to deal with limitations throughout his life. He attended Nordstrom Elementary School, Martin Murphy Middle School, and Live Oak High School before transferring to Piner High School in Santa Rosa.
Joey began working as a carpenter at a young age, taken under the wing of his father, cousins, and uncles in their construction businesses. He was most proud of his family heritage––a quarter Portuguese Hawaiian and half Italian. He was able to spend time in Kauai, connect with relatives in the family home town in Italy, and tour parts of Europe before his untimely death.
Being a great outdoorsman, Joey found joy in his love of dogs and nature. He liked to forage in Mendocino County which transcended into a passion for food and cooking. With his gracious heart, he made friends easily and always took the time for conversation, especially with older people who found him endearing. Most of all, he was an adoring and generous uncle to five nieces and nephews and the most loyal loving brother and son.
Joey is survived by his mother Carolyn Jamieson-Tillman (husband Mike Tillman); father Joseph Giancola (wife Sheila Giancola); sisters Leslie Giancola-Coleman (husband Aaron Coleman), Lori Butler (husband Jeff Butler), Lisa Rizzo (husband Saro Rizzo), Lianna Giancola; nephews Joseph and Gianmarco Rizzo, and Bryant Butler; nieces Arianna Giancola-Coleman and Gianna Butler; grandfathers Cosimo Giancola and Dean Jamieson (wife Matt Jamieson); grandma Patricia Jamieson; step families and many extended relatives.
Services will begin at the Lima Family Mortuary, 466 North Winchester Blvd. in Santa Clara, Monday March 23, at 3 p.m. with a visitation, followed by a vigil and recitation of the rosary at 7 p.m.
His funeral is planned for Tuesday March 24, at 11 a.m. at St. Lucy Catholic Parish, 2350 Winchester Blvd. in Santa Clara. The burial will take place at Santa Clara Mission Cemetery, 490 Lincoln St. in Santa Clara and a reception will follow.
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