Joseph George D’Acunto, Jr. passed away on September 16, 2016 at JFK Memorial Hospital in Atlantis, FL, Joe was known affectionately as Jody to his immediate family and Joe D. to numerous others. He was born in Stamford, CT on November 7, 1951 to Joseph G. D’Acunto, Sr. and E. Jessie D’Acunto nee Kelly. Joe was a resident of Barefoot Bay, FL and is survived by his wife of 43 years Sharon A. D’Acunto nee Piper; son Joseph G. D’Acunto, III his spouse Amanda; and daughter Nicole A Brooks, all of Barefoot Bay, FL. He has three grandsons David J. Brooks and Matthew Henry Brooks of Las Vegas, NV, Vincent D’Acunto and granddaughter Emily Rose of Barefoot Bay, FL. Joe is additionally survived by his brother Richard A. Carlo, his spouse Christine; sister Patricia A. Hair of Port Charlotte, FL her spouse Weldon; sister Elizabeth D’Acunto; brother Philip S. D’Acunto of Manchester, NH; brother-in-law William Staples of Sebastian, FL and Aunt Barbara J. Giordano of CT. Joe was preceded in death by his sister Geraldine E. Staples. He is also remembered by a great number of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Joe had a rewarding career in Food Service. He started at a very young age cooking pizzas or working as a short order cook. He rose through the culinary ranks to become a supervising chef at Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH. He opened as well as managed a number of dining sites in UNLV in Las Vegas, NV. He reveled in teaching others to cook as much as he enjoyed preparing a meal for family and friends. He always had a hint or suggestion on how to make a dish better or easier to make.
An accomplished bowler, Joe excelled on the alleys of many bowling leagues. He was privileged to bowl a few times on the semi-pro bowling tour. Joe was an avid sports fan with a life-long devotion to the St. Louis Cardinals. Under his influence both of Joe’s children became knowledgeable sport enthusiasts. Many nights and weekends were spent by the three watching all the ball games, most notably baseball, football and basketball. They each had their favorites both professional and college. There were many ‘discussions” at those times.
Joe D’s other talents included vocalizing and dance. He had a great speaking voice and for years was a color commentator for Colby Sawyer College in New London, NH and also hosted weekly oldies radio program broadcast out of Newport, NH. Joe was presiding deejay at many a wedding or anniversary. Music trivia was another entertaining talent.
The sum of this beloved man is that like his father before him, Joe was a devoted family man. He was happiest when all were gathered together. Any party, wedding or family reunion was a must attend for him. You would always find him on the dance floor or crooning along with the music for those at his table.
His final years found Joe in constant contact via the internet with his many, many friends and family members. He was always there with an uplifting message, a prayer, a wish for your good day or God speed. Joe touched a lot of people with his intelligence, wit, warmth and charm. He would want us to know that he felt our touch, our warmth and our prayers as he approached the last challenge of his lifetime. We are so much better for having known him but he would be the first to say he was so much better for having known all of us. With love from so many in so many places he left this world. We all say well done Joe. Amen.
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