Joseph Restifo
Age - 92
November 28, 2023
Giuseppe Joseph Restifo, 92 of Toronto, OH, went to be with the Lord on November 23, 2023, at his home with his family by his side. Joseph was born in Taormina, Sicily, Italy on March 13, 1931. He was the son of Vincenzo and Maria (Butto) Restifo. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Nino, sister, Lina, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Domenick & Christina (Pizzo) Orlando (who he was extremely close with), and his twin granddaughters, Natalie & Nicole Restifo. Joseph is survived by his loving wife of nearly 70 years, Ann Rose (Orlando) Restifo, son, James (Cathy) of Boardman, son, Vincent & daughter Marie (Denny) his caregivers with whom he resided; sisters, Giavonna, Bici` and Vittoria (Carmello) of Giardini, Sicily; grandchildren, Adam (Sheila) Restifo of Boardman & Vanessa (Jake Inman) Restifo of Austin, TX, who they lovingly called Papa Joe; two great granddaughters and many nieces and nephews. Joseph was enlisted in the Italian Army in the Alpine Troops (their elite corp). He was promoted to the rank of sergeant where he served as a radio telegraphy specialist. Joseph married his wife, Ann, in Sept. 1954 in Taormina, Sicily. He then came to the United States and worked very hard to learn English and become an American Citizen. He was very conscientious, trustworthy, dependable, and a hard worker at all his endeavors. He started out working at Pepsi Cola Bottling Co. in Steubenville and then Rogers Jewelry where he was their master watchmaker for 38 years. Then he worked with his son, Vincent at Restifo's Jewelry Lab in downtown Steubenville. He loved what he did and loved the daily challenge of repairing watches. He never wanted to quit. He loved talking with and forming friendships with all his customers who he remembered every one of them through the years. He graduated from the American Watchmakers Institute. He was certified in diamontology and a graduate of the Bulova Quartz Institute, where he obtained his Quartz certification. Joseph was a ham radio operator with an extra class license. He was a 25 -year member of SWARC club where he served as the weather net control agent. Joseph was also a member of the St. Francis Roman Catholic Church in Toronto and the ARRL. WB8NZN now goes silent key. Joseph was a very loving, trustworthy, dependable, caring, loyal husband and father. His family has always and will always be so proud of him. There will be no showing as per his request. Private entombment will take place at Fort Steuben Burial Estates in Wintersville. Arrangements for Joseph have been entrusted to the J. E. Foster Funeral Home in Toronto. Memorial contributions may be made to Valley Hospice and Joseph's family would like to thank them for all their help in his final days.Show more
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