Joseph T. Bettucci

Joseph T. Bettucci, Jr., went home to Jesus on Nov. 20, 2021, at his daughter’s home in Sugar Land, Texas. He was surrounded by loved ones as he fought valiantly against late-stage Alzheimer’s dementia. He never wavered in his faith.

Joe was born in Ithaca, N.Y., on Feb. 19, 1928, to Mary Mooney and Joseph T. Bettucci. At 17, he enlisted in the United States Army in January 1946, and he served 14 months in Japan as a surgical technician. He married Helen Kowal from Newark Valley, N.Y. in 1949. They settled in Ithaca and started a marriage of 56 years.

He worked construction his whole life, and he epitomized the hard-work ethic. He became a highly skilled mason, and he later became a labor foreman for Stewart and Bennett construction company.

He generously volunteered his free time to help others, keeping with his strong belief in charitable giving. His children recall a story of him helping an elderly neighbor by building her stairs for free. He led by example, and those ideals were passed down to his grandchildren.

He kept himself busy, but when he wasn’t he could be found at Newman Golf Course in Ithaca. He was an avid golfer, and he spent much of his time on the course meeting old friends or making new ones.

Just after sunset one evening, in a light rain, he came home with a peculiar look on his face. He said, “I hit a hole-in-one and no one saw it.” He was later validated with another hole in one. He hit the second one on Oct. 20, 2007; with a 7-iron on the 7th hole at Newman Golf Course. It was 150 yards.

He enjoyed a long retirement; and he spent many relaxing hours carving vignettes out of wood, depicting scenes from his condo in Florida.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents Mary Mooney and Joseph T. Bettucci; his loving wife Helen; sisters Carmella Root of Canton, Penn., and Mary Hayes of Pineville, Ore.; and brother Frank Bettucci of Arlington, Va. Left to cherish his memory are his children Anthony Bettucci of Ithaca, N.Y. and Dawn Bettucci of Sugar Land, Texas; his grandchildren Jessica Shapley (husband Jeffrey Chen) of Pearland, Texas, and Jon Shapley of Houston, Texas; his great-granddaughter Jillian Chen of Pearland, Texas; his sisters Tina Muzzy of Etna, N.Y., and Barbara Coviello of Groton, N.Y.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to his faithful caregivers Mercy Mutesi Wakibi and Jojuanita Nakirya.

A funeral mass will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 2, at Immaculate Conception Church in Ithaca, N.Y.

Friends, neighbors, golfing buddies and caregivers are invited to a celebration of life dinner that will be held at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 2, at The Boatyard Grill.

In lieu of flowers, and in honor of Joe’s generous and inclusive nature, the family gratefully requests that any contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice.