Joseph Emile Dallessandro of Delray Beach and formerly of Valley Cottage, New York passed away peacefully on September 16, 2023.  Joe is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 66 years Connie, his two sons Joseph and Anthony, his daughter Marianne, his four beautiful granddaughters Lisa, Juliana, Alexandra and Jenna, and his two grandsons Anthony and Michael.  A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, September 20th, 2023 at 10:30am at Emanuel Catholic Church located at 15700 S Military Trl, Delray Beach, FL 33484.  Burial with Military honors will take place on Friday, September 22, 2023 at 9:30am at South Florida National Cemetery, 6501 S State Road 7, Lake Worth, FL 33449 in Lane 3.

Joe was the first in his family to graduate college.  He graduated pharmacy school in June of 1959 and practiced pharmacy until his retirement in 1994.  His greatest joy in life was his family.  He loved and was immensely proud of his three children and his six beautiful grandchildren.  But most important to Joe, above all else, was his love and devotion to his beautiful bride of 66 years.  Before Connie and Joe met they began a letter correspondence while Joe was serving overseas initiated by some meddling aunts.  This storybook beginning lead to a romance lasting more than sixty-six years, during which time they shared a beautiful life built on love and devotion.  Marriage may be "until death do thee part" but this romance survives his passing within the heart of his beautiful Connie.  If there is a heaven there can be no doubt Joe waits patiently to be reunited so this love may continue through all eternity.

One of my father's favorite sayings was "to roll with the punches."  While his passing is a gut punch to us all, only if we roll with it and move on with our lives while remaining thankful for all he has given us do we truly honor his memory. It was what he would have wanted.