Obituary: Joseph Colletti - Class of 1941

MADISON - Joseph Colletti, age 88, of Madison, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 29, 2011, at HospiceCare.

He was born on Sept. 16, 1922, in Madison. Joseph graduated from Madison Central High School in 1941. He joined the U.S. Marines in January 1942, and served his country with the 4th Marine Division until September 1945. Joseph was united in marriage to Blanch Lorraine Stevens on Sept. 14, 1946.

He received a bachelor's degree at UW-Whitewater and a master's degree at Pasadena College in California. Joseph was a school administrator at Lancaster, Calif., for 20 years. He started the first Head Start program there, set up the first Girl and Boy Scouts program and community summer recreation program. He moved to Wisconsin in 1972 and served as principal at both Weston High School for two years, and Spencer High School for 13 years.

Joseph retired in 1984 to Monona, where he substitute taught for Monona Grove School District for 12 years. Joseph loved working with children, golf and bowling.

He is survived by his wife, Lorraine; children, Janie (Bob) Blackledge, Joe (Sharon), Gary, Holly (Jeff) Corning and Patty Jo (Marc) Cobbs; son-in-law, Randy Pruitt; seven grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; brother, Peter (Rose); sister, Mamie (Lee) Stafford; and many nieces and nephews.

Joseph was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Bonnie Pruitt; sisters, Annie and Mary; and brothers, Vito, George and Vincent.

Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, July 1, 2011. Private burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park.

The family would like to thank the staffs at UW Hospital and HospiceCare Inc. for their care and compassion.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on June 30, 2011 (submitted by Michael Vahldieck, Class of 1968)