Joseph Petrillose

Joseph Anthony Petrillose, 81, passed away on January 16, 2020. Joe was born January, 8, 1939, the son of the late Anthony and Antoinette (DeAngelis) Petrillose. He was predeceased by his wife, Peggy C. Petrillose who died April 21, 2019. Joe is lovingly survived by his daughter Dana Williams of Ithaca, NY; daughter Jolie Massicci of Ithaca, NY (Michael); son A.J. Petrillose of Bedford, NY (Kristen); sister Donna Petrillose of Baldwinsville, NY; sister-in-law Cookie Terboss of Philadelphia, PA; brother-in-law Jim Chester of Fort Myers, FL (Cathie); grandchildren Cole, Nick, Ryan, Alexa, Elsa, Joseph; great grandchildren Mason and Gabrielle; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Graduating from Ithaca High School in 1957, Joe excelled at basketball and was a gifted left-handed baseball pitcher, throwing four no-hitters and several 1-hitters. Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates, he instead attended Notre Dame University. Returning to Ithaca after his freshman year, he enrolled at Ithaca College and would later join his father’s (Tony) barbershop on College Avenue in 1960. Joe was drafted and honorably discharged from the United States Army, spending two years in Stuttgart, Germany. By 1970, Joe and his father moved the barbershop to Linden Avenue in Collegetown, as a two-chair father-son operation, working together side-by-side for 50 years until 2010 when Tony passed away. Joe then moved to his daughter’s salon on N. Cayuga Street before retiring in 2014. Joe moved to McGraw House in downtown Ithaca in early 2019, which brought him a tremendous amount of joy, reuniting with old friends and making new ones.

His love of sports sustained him throughout his life, including skiing, boating, and watching his favorite team, the Yankees. Joe followed the local sports teams, with many of the players and coaches being customers. Joe ultimate love was his family and marrying his high school sweetheart. Peggy and Joe were married for 58 years. Joe was forever patient and rarely resisted Peggy’s enthusiasm and impulsive decision-making. They had an unconditional love and were each other’s best friend. Their love for each other extended throughout four generations of the close-knit Petrillose-Chester family, including cousins, extended family and close friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Fr. Augustine Chumo on Saturday, February 8, 2020 at 10:00 am at the Immaculate Conception Church. Joe’s family will greet friends immediately following the Mass at The Elk’s Club, 124 Coddington Road in Ithaca. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cancer Resource Center of the Finger Lakes, http://www.crcfl.net/

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Saturday, February 08, 2020 10:00 AM

Immaculate Conception Church 113 N. Geneva St. Ithaca, NY 14850