Joseph Anthony Paolillo Sr. obituary: Clancy-Palumbo Funeral Home, East Haven CT

Joseph Anthony Paolillo Sr., 90 of East Haven passed away peacefully at home on Friday July 31, 2026. He was born April 24, 1936 in Mt. Vernon NY to Alfonso and Angelina (Lieto) Paolillo. Joseph is survived by his loving and devoted wife of over 66 years, Camillia (DeMusis) Paolillo and their four children; Maria Stavas of Georgia, Susan DeLancy (David) of Cheshire, Dr. Joseph Paolillo Jr. of Naples, FL and Peter Paolillo of East Haven along with four grandchildren; Hannah Stavas, Grant Stavas, Olivia DeLancy and Emma DeLancy. He is also survived by his brother-in-law and best friend of nearly 75 years, John Pallotto of Hamden.

Joseph is preceded in death by his parents, a sister, May Pallotto and a brother, Alphonse Paolillo.

In August 1953, at the age of 17, Joseph decided to enlist in the United States Marine Corps. After completing basic training in Parris Island, SC, Joe was stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC. As a Staff Sergeant, he boarded the USS Saratoga and disembarked in Kobe, Japan where he spent one year. In early 1955, he left Japan and weeks later arrived at Pearl Harbor, disembarked and was stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii for another year as a Military Police Officer. His specialized training was as a gunner and mortarman, eventually becoming his Squad Leader. Joe earned the official enlisted rank of Sergeant. He often talked about how he earned the respect of his squad. Other sergeants would ask Joe how he managed to motivate his soldiers. Joe suggested leading by example. He never asked a squad member to perform any task unless he participated as well. Upon honorable discharge from the USMC in August 1956, Joseph was awarded the National Defense Service Medal as well as the Medal of Good Conduct.

Joseph was the retired owner/operator of Paolillo’s Service Station in downtown New Haven for 58 years. At the age of 20, he approached the Mobil Oil Corporation about a small building in severe disrepair bearing the Mobil sign. He saw the potential in this property as a means to provide for his bride to be. After sharing his business idea with his brother Al, he decided to “take a chance.” Years later, Joe was described as the “last man standing” in a generation of small business owners who played an important role in making the City of New Haven unique. He was an old-school hardworking man who only operated at one speed. He made it his mission to work and work hard every minute of every day. Joe singlehandedly built an extensive customer base through a reputation of being the most honest and affordable mechanic in the city. Throughout his nearly 60 years in business, Joe was a “one man band.” He chose to work alone because he wanted to maintain the highest standards and most affordable service. “Same owner, same location, same quality” appeared at the top of the Paolillo’s Service Station invoices. He would routinely save broken parts for customers to educate them on why they failed. He was extremely proud to be Yale University’s top repair garage choice and he was the personal auto mechanic for seven Yale University former Presidents. “Joe’s Garage” also served as a gathering place for Yale University employees to congregate after work and unwind at the end of the day. The regular crew was comprised of plumbers, electricians, roofers, carpenters, fire safety employees, police officers, and friends. Joe welcomed everyone and the group became like a fraternity. Paolillo’s Service Station was an integral part of the backbone of the City of New Haven.

Undoubtedly, Joe’s business was a huge part of his life as well as one of his biggest accomplishments, but he was most proud of his wife Camille and the family they raised together. After Joe’s wedding, he and Camille hopped in their 1958 Ford Fairlane and spent their two-week honeymoon on a cross-country trip, ultimately spending a week in California. Traveling with Camille and their four children continued to be a passion of his for his entire life. Enjoying Sunday family time by his pool was when he was most content and relaxed. In his rare time away from the shop, Joe also enjoyed long road trips, watching and attending NASCAR races, spending Friday nights at Stafford Motor Speedway watching his brother-in-law’s race car compete, attending area classic car shows with one of his classic cars, fishing and crabbing with his friend Mike, visiting his friends in the New Haven auto repair circle and watching his vegetable garden flourish, especially his fig trees. He beamed when he talked about his extensive trip he took to Italy in 2008. Spending time in the Amalfi region, where his parents were from in Minori, made Joe proud of his family heritage. The highlight of that trip was being welcomed into the home of the owners of Paolillo Auto in Ravello for an unexpected mid-day lunch, a true testament to his Italian culture.

The family would like to express sincere appreciation and gratitude to Joe’s caregiver team including: Kwame, Sam, Joelle, and Anne, who became family.

Family and friends are invited to meet and attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday August 8, 2026 at 10 AM in St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish at the Church of St. Vincent de Paul, 80 Taylor Ave., East Haven with full United States Marine Corps Honors and Committal to follow at St. Lawrence Cemetery, West Haven. Please go directly to the church on Saturday. All services are under the care of the Clancy-Palumbo Funeral Home, 43 Kirkham Ave., East Haven.

In lieu of flowers, please make donation to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10306 (t2t.org) in memory of Joseph Anthony Paolillo Sr.