Ripepi, Joseph A.
RENSSELAER — Joseph A. Ripepi, age 70, passed Tuesday, November 26, 2019, at Albany Medical Center after a long battle with cancer.
Joe was born in Schenectady on June 14, 1949, to the late Dominick and Theresa Cesare Ripepi. Joe attended and graduated from both Mont Pleasant High School and the Culinary Institute in Hartford, Conn. He was employed as an area chef for Walt Disney World in Florida and more recently he worked at the Butcher Block in Albany and Macy’s in Colonie Center. Joe enjoyed cooking, gardening and decorating for the different seasons. He loved spending time with his beloved pet Maysie and his loving partner Mark.
Joe is survived by his companion of 45 years Mark Cardinal.
The funeral will be in the W .J. Lyons, Jr. Funeral Home, 1700 Washington Ave., Rensselaer on Sunday at 12 p.m. Relatives and friends are invited to gather prior to the service starting at 11 a.m. Joe will be interred next to his mother in the Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joe and Maysie’s names to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, 3 Oakland Ave., Menands, NY, 12204. Condolence page at www. wjlyonsfuneralhome.com y the Northeast Blues Hall of Fame.
Joseph retired as a real estate broker for the United Group of Companies. He was a driver for CDTA, and also a broker for the Galesi Group.
He was the loving husband of 47 years of Susan E. Van Olinda Rocco; devoted father of Peter Rocco (Kathryn), Marisa Hutson (James) and Christian Rocco (Andrea); cherished Pa of Sophia, Christopher and Matthew Rocco and Benjamin and Lucy Hutson; brother of Patsy Rocco (Germaine), Debbie Barnum (Red), Kris Pease (Jeff), Eileen Linnell (Jim), Diana Rocco, and Stephanie Galietta (Mike). He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and fellow musicians. “May he forever rest on the 2 and the 4.”
The family would like to thank Drs. Shaffer, Pirotti, Cedeno, Rasias, Savage and their staff for their wonderful care.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Joseph’s family on Thursday, December 5, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Mcveigh Funeral Home, 208 North Allen St., Albany. Funeral services on Friday, December 6, at 8:15 a.m. from the Mcveigh Funeral Home, thence to All Saints Catholic Church, 16 Homestead St., Albany at 9 a.m. where his funeral Mass will be celebrated. The Rite of Committal will be held in the Albany Rural Cemetery immediately following the funeral Mass. Those wishing to remember Joseph in a special way may send a contribution to the American Cancer Society, 1 Penny Lane, Latham, NY, 12110.
To leave a message for the family, light a virtual candle, obtain directions or view other helpful services please visit www. Mcveighfuneralhome.com.