Obituary: ​Joseph A. Gallo Dies at 78

Died: September 5, 2016

Visitation: Sunday, September 11 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Beney Funeral Home, 79 Berry Hill Road in Syosset.

Service: Monday, September 12 starting at 11 a.m. at the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola on 980 Park Avenue in New York City.

Obituary: Joseph A. Gallo passed away on Monday, Sept. 5. He was 78.

Gallo was born on February 26, 1938 to parents, Benjamin and Katherine Gallo (née Siedlarczyk). He was raised in Queens with his siblings Loretta and William.

After graduating high school, he attended nearby Queens College, where he was crowned "king" of his fraternity.

In 1959, Gallo married his Queens College sweetheart, Marie DiPrima.

Together they raised three daughters: Karen, Nancy and Laura until Marie passed away in 1974.

GAllo graduated from New York University with a Bachelor's of Science degree in 1972. Over the course of his professional career he specialized in technology, or as his family jokes, "something with computers."

Before retiring in 2003, he worked as a systems manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers.

While on a business trip to Lowell, MA, Gallo was encouraged by his friend Anthony Cascarano to invite a woman they met in the lobby, Adele (née Downey), to join them for dinner. Adele was staying in the hotel while searching for an apartment nearby.

Adele soon moved to Long Island to be closer to him and his family and the two were married in 1982.

After retiring, Gallo enjoyed working as a film extra on a number of popular television shows, as well as a student thesis film at his alma mater, NYU.

In addition to his many hobbies and interests, the couple served on the Ministry of Hospitality at the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola where they were longtime parishioners.

In addition to his wife of 34 years and his daughters, Gallo is survived by his son-in-laws, Glenn Watson and Ron Piervincenzi. He is also survived by his six granddaughters: Jen King, Amanda McCarthy, Gina McCarthy, Serena Piervincenzi, Natalie McCarthy and Clara Piervincenzi.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Cure Progressive Supranuclear Palsy at PSP.org, The Mary Ann Tully Hospice Inn in Melville, NY or the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Church of St. Ignatius.

Photo and info via Beney Funeral Home