Joseph Pellicano

Joseph Pellicano


Rochester - Joseph (Joe) Pellicano, age 91, of Rochester NY, passed away suddenly on December 28, 2021. Joseph is survived by his four children: Charlene (Alan) Trick, Kathy Pellicano, William (Tracy) Pellicano and Jodi (Charles) Schirtz. Joe was blessed with 12 grandchildren, their wonderful spouses, and 17 great grandchildren who were his world. Joseph is also survived by his brother, John Pellicano, sister Carman (George) Pritchard, brother William (Mary Kaye) Pellicano, sister Rosina (Filippo) Panella and sister Maria (Antonio) Panella, sister-in-law Rosemary (Philip) Mordenga, several nieces, nephews, cousins and his good buddies Chuck Henderson and Marty Dater. He is predeceased by his loving wife Josephine, his parents Biagio and Carmela Pellicano, and his sister Freda Magnotta.


His legacy is a lifetime of perseverance and love. At the age of three years old, Joe suffered a severe farm accident leaving him as a double amputee. At the time of the accident no one knew whether he would survive, but Joe never gave up and went on to live an amazing life with his wife Josephine of 68 years. He never let his handicap prevent him from doing anything. In fact, most people never realized he was handicapped. Joe and Jo's marriage was a true love story, a relationship defined by nothing more than their love and devotion for one another. Joe's career spanned nearly 70 years before he retired at the age of 87. He worked for the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance and then as a sales tax consultant for Wegmans Food Markets. His recent move back to Rochester just 17 days before his passing was part of his plan to be closer to his wife. His philosophy in life was "never give up, put your mind to it, and do it." A philosophy that will soon be honored with the dedication of The Joseph Pellicano Wrestling Pavilion at St John Fisher College.


The family will receive friends at Farrell-Ryan Funeral Home, 777 Long Pond Road, Rochester NY on Monday, January 10 from 3-7 PM. A funeral will be held on January 11 at 10:00 AM in celebration of his life at the Hermance Family Chapel of St. Basil the Great at St. John Fisher College. He will be laid to rest at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.


In lieu of flowers, Joseph would appreciate a donation to: Patriot Point, 750 Taylors Island Road, Madison MD 21648 (patriotpoint.org) or Word of Honor, PO Box 777, Bellevue, ID 83313 ( wordofhonorfund.com).