Wright County Record logo and header

Joseph “Joe” Anthony Guccione

Posted

A civic leader and devoted family man who spent his lengthy lifetime livening up parties and living by his own rules, the gregarious Joseph “Joe” Anthony Guccione passed away on Oct. 27, 2021, at the age of 93. Born June 6, 1928, in St. Louis to Vincenza (Signorello) Guccione and Nicolo Guccione, Joe’s family was an Italian archetype. Suppers at his mother’s house were a spirited mix of family and friends; a bustling crowd eating a veritable feast. He continued the tradition after his mother passed, always eager to unite his loved ones for any occasion. His lifetime of service to the community started with the United States Army. He was enlisted from June, 1946 to May, 1948, stationed in Tokyo, Japan, which kindled in him a passion for world travel. Later, in his professional life, his business acumen and interpersonal skills led him to become a successful entrepreneur. During his leadership of the Tobin-Hamilton Company he helped the organization grow into the largest injection mold factory for juvenile shoes in the U.S. Above all, Joe believed in tolerance, understanding and honesty. In his free time, he jetted around the world from Asia to Australia to Europe, eager to encounter fresh new faces everywhere he went. A keen golfer, he would hit the links regularly with his country club pals. A poor game was his idea of misery. In the words of his goddaughter Sue, Joe’s name was synonymous with fun. Always present for important occasions, his family remembers the patriarch at the helm of every party. Everyone loved being around the convivial man, from his neighbors to his co-workers to his grandkid’s friends. Though he had only one beloved daughter, his four grandchildren were the lights of his life. Stubborn and ornery to the last, he was 90 when his family forced him to retake the driving test. Even in the face of failure, he asserted his right to drive. This was a man who didn’t take to authority, a man who lived by his own set of rules. Committed to his civic duty and perpetually eager to mix with his peers, he served with an array of charitable organizations including the Freemasons, the Knights of Columbus, Grand Order of the Sword of Bunker Hill, The American Legion, the Elks Lodge, Abou Ben Adhem Shriners and the Lions Club.

Joe was predeceased by his brothers, Frank Guccione, Anthony Guccione and Salvatore (Sam) Guccione; and his sister, Lena Strunk. He is survived by daughter, Jacqueline Guccione and husband, Mark Cox; grandchildren, Nicolai Joseph Guccione Cox, Stefan Mark Guccione Cox, Claudia Taylor Guccione Cox and Ava Jacqueline Guccione Cox; nieces, Tammy Miller, Nancy Smith, Donna Recchione and Annette Muldowney; and nephews, Nick Guccione, Jim Strunk and Dominic Guccione. May Joe’s singular legacy live on forever as warm memories of happy times spent together. In the words of Thomas Campbell, “To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.” Funeral Mass was held Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021 at 11 a.m. in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Burial with Full Military Honors followed in Missouri Veterans Cemetery.