Joseph F. Daino, 96, of 800 S. Plain St. died June 28, 2017 at Cayuga Medical Center. He was born in Ithaca on March 4, 1921, son of the late Frank and Norma Soaner Daino.
Joe graduated from Ithaca High School class of 1938 and attended Cornell University from 1938 to 1941. On September 29, 1941, he was appointed a cadet in the Army Air Force to be trained as a pilot. He received his wings at Ellington Field, Texas on April 29, 1942 and was assigned to a fighter squadron. He served in the China-Burma-India theater where his mission was to protect the air supply route over "the hump" to China and to bomb and strafe enemy installations in Burma. He is credited with seventy-three combat missions and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal. The Chinese government made him an honorary member of the Chinese Air Force and he received the pilot wings of the Chinese Air Force. He was honorably discharged with the rank of captain on October 15, 1945.
He owned and operated the Lehigh Valley Restaurant for thirty-five years and sold it in 1981. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church, a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Ithaca Bridge Club. During the 1967-68 school year, there was an austerity school budget and the full sports program was eliminated. Joe and Charlie Bell, with overwhelming support from the Ithaca community and cooperation from school administrators, were instrumental in raising enough money to keep the full sports program intact for the entire year. The Ithaca Booster Club was formed and Joe was elected president.
He was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Clara Cicchetti Daino, who passed away in 2004. A loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, Joe is survived by his daughter, Peggy Fisher (Miles) of Ambler, PA; his son, Joseph F. "Skip" Daino, Jr (MaryJane Whitford) of Lansdale, PA; his grandchildren, Janet Fisher of Washington, DC, Christie Fisher Sipes (Douglas) of Honolulu, HI, Miles Ryan Fisher of Washington, DC, James Daino of Lansdale, PA, and great granddaughter, Naomi Sipes of Honolulu, HI.
The family extends their deepest gratitude to the Cayuga Medical Center and Oak Hill Manor for their excellent care.
Friends may call on Friday, July 14, 2017 from 9 to 11 am at the Bangs Funeral Home. Burial with military honors will be held at the Calvary Cemetery at a later date.
Please send donations in Joe's memory to the Ithaca Athletic Boosters, 1401 N. Cayuga St, Ithaca, NY 14850.
SERVICES Visitation
Friday, July 14, 2017 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Bangs Funeral Home, Inc. 209 W Green St. Ithaca, New York 14850
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