Joseph Lodise Service Information

Giuseppe (Joseph) Lodise, 82, a beloved family man and respected pizza restaurant owner whose food delighted customers, family and friends for decades, passed away peacefully on June 11, 2022, at home in Philadelphia. 

Born in Carife, Italy, in 1940, Joseph emigrated to the United States in 1954, via Ellis Island, and settled in Philadelphia. During one of his many visits back to Carife, he met his future bride, Maria DiPalma. After his military service and a long-distance courtship, Joseph and Maria married in Carife in 1967 and moved to Philadelphia, where they started a family. 

After high school, Joseph worked at Pantry Pride for 17 years, where he became a manager. He then went into the pizza business until retirement. Friday and Saturday night Strombolis were always anticipated and enjoyed by family and friends. 

Nonno was especially proud of and cherished his grandchildren, in which he found his greatest joy. He eagerly babysat and always showered them with love, kindness, humor and his often requested homemade pastina and chicken cutlets.  He enjoyed walks with them and teaching card games, rummy being a favorite.  A visit rarely went by without him passing them a couple dollars, followed by, “Don’t tell Nonna.”

He had a passion for sports, especially soccer, which he played in high school (varsity) and throughout his 20s. He enjoyed bowling and over the years became a fan of Philly sports - and even enjoyed attending the World Series and an Eagles game. He also loved and excelled at card playing, mostly poker. Most recently, he could be found perusing weekly sale & coupon flyers, enjoying sports, Un posto al sole, old westerns and game shows on television.

Joseph loved Sunday dinners at home with the family. Homemade wine and pasta meals served as the backdrop for countless memories, along with holiday gatherings and vacations to the Jersey shore. 

In addition to Maria, his wife of 54 years, Mr. Lodise is survived by his children, John (Wendy) Lodise and Maria (Charles) Leslie; his grandchildren, Charles, Isabella, Giovanni and Michaela; sister, Maria (Benito) Marcantuono; sister-in-law, Donna Lodise; and 'Uncle Joe' to many loving nieces, nephews, close friends and extended family. He was preceded in death by a sister, Florinda D’Angelo (Antonio) and brother, Tony Lodise. 

He will be dearly missed for his unconditional love, humbleness, generosity, easy going & soft spoken personality, infectious smile, sense of humor and quick wit. 

Funeral services will be Monday, June 20, at Maternity BVM Church, 9220 Old Bustleton Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19115, where family and friends are invited to pay their respects from 8:45am - 9:45 a.m., with Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Cemetery. 

Memorial contributions may be made to American Heart Association at heart.org

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