Joseph Larry Tagliavento

Joseph Larry Tagliavento, age 69, of Ithaca, NY lost his brief battle with lung cancer on December 31, 2024, at home surrounded by his large and loving family. Known to his friends as Joe Tag, he was the son of Joseph Tagliavento Jr and Betty Moore Tagliavento. Born and raised in Ithaca NY, Joe grew up on South Hill and participated in wrestling and boxing for most of his youth.

He met the love if his life, his wife of 43 years, Agnes Mazzaccari, in 1980 and married shortly thereafter. In 1989, he and his family moved to Kingston, NY where they opened ‘Old Napoli Pizzeria’ with his brother-in-law Giuseppe. There, he became affectionately known as “Pizza Joe”. Outside the restaurant, Joe spent his free time in a bowling league (bowling several 300 games), riding motorcycles and fishing on the Hudson River. When he wasn’t slinging pizzas, he acquired his NYS certification as a Tactical Security Guard protecting several congressman, consulates and various dignitaries near our state capital.

In 1997, he and his family moved back to Ithaca, where he transitioned from the Laborer’s union to the Local 17 Bricklayers Union for the remainder of his career. Joseph was a talented mason by trade and traveled across the entire nation building many permanent fixtures, including some still seen around Ithaca, Cornell and Ithaca College today.

Joe was an enthusiastic sportsman, fisherman, and avid deer hunter, breaking multiple NYS records still on the books today. Boasting an impressive gun collection, he was a skilled Trap and Skeet shooter, shooting several times a week at various gun clubs across the state. By far his favorite hobby, he continued to participate in many shooting tournaments both locally and out of state. He had a love for gambling and playing cards, including a good game of pinochle. In recent years, Joe loved attending car shows and showing off his 1923 Model T-Bucket, almost always securing a trophy. A brilliant craftsman and woodworker, he built and designed many furniture pieces for his home, even building an addition onto their home as their family grew. He was a true jack of all trades, a man who seemed like he could do anything.

Joseph is survived by his mother, Betty Tagliavento, his wife, Agnes Tagliavento, his son, Julian Tagliavento (mother, Karen Wright) of Ottawa, his daughters, Angelina (Kyle) Lake and Adriana (Brian) Newhart of Ithaca and his beloved grandchildren, his “Booboo bears”, Giovanni Joseph (10), Isabella Rose (6), Lorenzo Lee (3) and Luca John (3), whom he loved more than anything in this world. He is also survived by his brother, John (Sheila) Tagliavento, several cousins, nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by his father, Joseph Tagliavento Jr., his mother and father-in- law, Giovanni and Rosanna Mazzaccari, sister, Rachel Jacobsen and brother in laws, David Jacobsen, Guiseppe Mazzaccari and Sebastiano Vona.

Joseph, The Man, The Myth, The Legend, was a man with many talents, but he loved his family more than anything and he will be missed beyond measure. A celebration of Joseph’s life will be held on Friday, January 3, 2025 at Bangs Funeral Home in Ithaca, NY. Family and friends are invited to call from 1-4pm.

Joseph will be laid to rest at the Enfield Village Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Interlaken Sportsmans Club.