JOSEPH PICCOLELLA II

CARIBOU – Lt. Col. Joseph A. Piccolella II, U.S. Air Force, retired, died Oct. 8, 2008, in Norway, Maine, after a brief illness. He was born March 19, 1936, in Elizabeth, N.J., the son of Joseph A. and Margaret (Lombard) Piccolella. He was a graduate of Jefferson High School in New Jersey. He served with the U.S. Air Force during Vietnam, retiring as lieutenant colonel in 1982. He was a life member of Lister-Knowlton Post No. 9389 VFW, as well as the American Legion. Mr. Piccolella was a certified registered nurse anesthetist, having been employed at Cary Medical Center and Aroostook Medical Center for many years. Joe also owned and operated Personal Touch Limousine Service and A Cut Above Hairgraphics and Tanning Salon. He was a generous supporter of the Shriners Hospital and Make-A-Wish Foundation, and was a staunch supporter of children in need. He also loved spending time with his family, especially his children and great-grandchildren. He married Rosemary Ann Sowers, in 1985. Joe was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Presque Isle, and was also a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. Surviving, in addition to his wife, Rosemary of Caribou and his mother, Margaret of Toms River, N.J.; are six sons, Joe Piccolella Jr. and his wife, Cathy, of Converse, Texas, Greg Piccolella and his wife, Sherry, of Mesquite, Texas, Robert Piccolella and his wife, Michael, and Jeff Piccolella and his wife, Linda, all of Melbourne Fla., Mike Piccolella and his partner, Reggie Padgett, of Lexington, S.C., and Jimmy and Connie Boucher of Oxford; three daughters, Lisette Pappalardo and her husband, Tony, of Palm Bay, Fla., Danette Piccolella of Melbourne, Fla., and Paula Belanger and her husband, Wilmer, of Caribou; one sister, Marjorie Piccolella of Toms River, N.J.; 17 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. Mr. Piccolella will be fondly remembered by many as a kind, caring and hardworking man with a bubbly sense of humor. Friends may call 7-9 p.m. Monday at Mockler Funeral Home, 24 Reservoir St., Caribou, where members of the VFW will conduct evening services 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church with the Very Rev. Jean-Paul Labrie, pastor, officiating. Interment with military honors will be at Northern Maine Veterans’ Cemetery, Caribou. Friends who wish to contribute in memory of Mr. Piccolella may do so through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, 87 Elm St., Camden, ME 04783; or Shriners Hospital for Children, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114. For an online register, please go to www.mocklerfuneralhome.com.