Obituary: Joseph Emmanuel 'Buddy' Bibisi, Jr., 61, of Middletown

MIDDLETOWN, CT - (From Biega Funeral Home) Joseph Emmanuel “Buddy” Bibisi, Jr., 61, native of Middletown, CT, resident of Jupiter, FL, passed in peace accompanied by loved ones Dec. 27 from complications of a ruptured aneurysm.

A proud U.S. Marine, a Pratt and Whitney employee, skilled hunter, golfer, angler, poker player but above all a father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle and cousin and friend.

Joe “Bud” Bibisi is survived by his four children, whom he loved dearly. He was both father and friend to Joseph Bibisi III (wife Christina), of Middletown; Janine (Bibisi) Dignazio, of Middletown; Daniel Bibisi of Niantic; and Gregory Bibisi of Groton. He also leaves his father, for whom he was named, Joseph E. Bibisi Sr. and step-mother Marylou, of Middletown; his mother, Elizabeth Stavola of Sun City Center, FL., his sister, Suzan Bibisi (husband Chris Healy) of Wethersfield, CT; twin brother, Salvatore “Butch” Bibisi of East Hampton, CT; and his brother Michael Bibisi, of Amelia, VA.

Joe also leaves three grandchildren, of whom he was very proud. Lovingly known as “Papa” to Amaya Dignazio and as “Crampa” to Sebastian and Joseph Bibisi IV, all from Middletown; his uncle Raymond Bibisi and aunt Grace, of Sun City Center, FL; aunt Kitty Doucette, of Apple Valley, CA ; and uncle Billy Atkins and aunt Evvie, of Hesperia, CA., in addition to a large extended loving family of nieces, nephews and cousins. He also leaves behind many former co-workers from Pratt and Bealls, and good friends from Middletown and Jupiter.

Born in Middletown on March 7, 1959, he attended St. John’s Elementary School and Vinal Tech Vocational School.

After graduating, he and his twin enlisted with the U.S. Marine Corps under the “buddy system” and served for four years, with Joe earning the rank of Corporal, and serving as a radio repairman with several awards, including the Good Conduct Medal and a Rifle Expert badge.

After his Honorable Discharge, Joe began a long career in engineering, aerospace technology and advanced manufacturing. He earned an associates in science degree from Middlesex Community College, and over the years became a master of his craft, earning several recognitions from Pratt & Whitney for his meritorious service.

While excelling at his profession, which took him abroad and nationwide, Joe never lost sight of the important things in life. He had a keen balance of work, family and friends. Joe spent countless hours outdoors with his father, brothers and close family friends hunting and fishing in CT and later in Florida, where he spent the last 5 years.

His cooking was similar to how he lived his life, nothing was wasted, left overs did not exist! From stews to jerky to “Trash Can Soup,” Joe made nothing into something in a spectacular manner.

Buddy was an avid sports fan, rooting for the New York Giants and the Boston Red Socks (curse of growing up in Central CT), and he began a fantasy football league nearly 20 years ago that involved his family, closest friends and this year included his grandson. Joe could be found with a stale, blank face at least one night a week playing poker; a game “learned in minutes but a life time to master” as he commonly stated with a bad call.

As heartbreaking as it is to see Joe leave us, we take comfort that he found his ultimate joy in in his years in Jupiter. Recently retired as senior technical specialist at Pratt, he spent his free time visiting his mother on the other side of the state, and fishing with his Florida friends.

His passion was his 150-gallon reef aquarium, with a variety of pastel coral from many oceans and neon-colored fish that he taught friends and neighbors to care for while he was away.

Joe would frequently visit home in CT. The announcement of his visit evoked cheers of “Crampa is coming” from his grandchildren and excitement from the rest of his family who delighted in his company. He would continue to visit the poker garage, partake in the friends and family “happy hour” that he started when he lived in CT, and spend valuable time in the tree-stands with his father and friends.

To be around Joe, you would know in a short while he cared less about giving you comfort but more about building your character. His smile, mischievous attitude and fun-loving personality were contagious. He would leave you laughing or embarrassed, or both, but always with a sweetness at heart.

Our family will dearly miss him. We thank everyone for their kind words and gestures of comfort at this terrible time. We also thank his friends and neighbors in Jupiter for their support, especially those who helped with the complicated task of caring for the fish and finding his passion a good home. We are grateful that his legacy lives on.

The Funeral Liturgy will be held Friday at 12 p.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 10 Elm St., Middletown. Burial with military honors will be in Calvary Cemetery, Middletown. There are no calling hours. To share memories or express condolences online please visit www.biegafuneralhome.com.