Obituary: Joseph J. Fedele

MADISON [Wisconsin] - Joseph J. Fedele, age 85, passed away at the HospiceCare Center on Tuesday, April 17, 2001, with his family at his bedside. He was born in Madison on April 25, 1915, the son of Peter and Loretta Fedele. Joe was raised in the Bush, attended St. James Elementary School, and graduated from Madison Central High School. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Joe was joined in marriage with Bette Wright on April 12, 1947, the same year he founded Fedele Trucking Company. Joe also owned and operated Fedele Tire Service, the Park Motor Inn, and along with his brother, Sam, owned and operated Fedeles Restaurant. He was a member of the Wisconsin Road Builders Association, Mendota Grid Iron, National Tire Dealers, Eagles Club, Elks Club, Nakoma Country Club, National Hole in One, and the Teamsters Union. Joe loved sports and was a longtime supporter of UW athletics. He enjoyed his annual trips to Canada, and winters in Florida. Joe is survived by a son, Dennis (Mary) Fedele; a daughter, Julie (Steve Rust) Fedele; two grandchildren, Jason (Camille) Fedele, and Heath Fedele; a great-granddaughter, Stella Fedele; a step-granddaughter, Jackie Ryckman; a brother, Sam Fedele; a sister, Tina (Robert) Samuelson; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and longtime business associate, Dan Moodie. Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Bette, in 1988; and two sisters, Lucy Hanson and Ann Cuccia. A four-hour visitation will be held on Friday, April 20, 2001, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with a prayer service beginning at 7:30 p.m., at FITCH LAWRENCE SANFILLIPPO CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 6021 University Ave. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 21, 2001, at ST. MARIA GORETTI CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5313 Flad Ave., with Father Michael Burke officiating. Entombment will follow at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, One Point Place, Suite 100, Madison, WI 53719, or the American Heart Association, 4703 Monona Drive, Monona, WI 53716. Dad, hearts come in all sizes; yours was the biggest one we knew. We love you and we'll miss you. Give Mom and Crickett a hug for us too. Love, Julie and Denny.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on April 19, 2001; submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)