Deceased July 30, 2012
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In Memory
Joe passed away on July 30, 2012, too young at 59. From Milford, Conn., Joe arrived at Amherst to seek a unique education, to play football and to make lifelong friends. He was successful with all three objectives but particularly the latter. It is difficult to imagine anyone more popular on campus. Joe had a unique way with people, making them feel comfortable and laugh. He had no pretenses, simply wanting the most out of life, whether imploring us to stay up to watch the sunrise or planning improvised trips to remote locations. It was a privilege to call him our friend.
At Amherst, Joe played varsity football, starting at cornerback. An ardent Hadley Arkes disciple, Joe majored in political science. And he socialized, at Chi Phi and elsewhere, engaging anyone willing to have passionate discourse. Joe found what he needed at Amherst.
After Amherst, Joe worked for Aetna, where he spent the preponderance of his career, specializing in sales to corporate health care accounts. Success led to promotions which required frequent moves, to Buffalo, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Richmond and Atlanta. Joe and his ex-wife, Mary Anne, had three wonderful children: Julia, Maggie and Joey. His children were his raison d’etre. He took great pride in their interests and activities, subordinating those of his own.
Ten years ago, Maggie suffered an illness that consumed Joe and his family. She passed away in 2008. This was an unspeakable tragedy, and Joe struggled to find purpose in it. He left for Thailand to devote his final years to recounting the events and meaning of Maggie’s life and death in a book. It is a moving account of Maggie’s joy and spirit of forgiveness. For Joe, moving to Thailand and writing his book represented an essential spiritual journey.
One could never have enough of Joe.
Rob Minicucci ’75