Joseph Ciminella

Joseph Frank Ciminella (Giuseppe Francesco), age 82, of Erie, died Sunday, October 2, 2016 at his home in Millcreek Township. He was born June 13, 1934 in Bagheria Palermo, Sicily Italy, the son of the late Lorenzo Ciminella and Rosalia Megna.
Joseph began his profession as a cement mason at a very young age in Palermo Sicily working as an apprentice for his uncle.
Joseph and his family temporarily lived and worked in Switzerland in the early 1960's before permanently immigrating to the United States in 1972, where in resided in Erie until his death.
As a highly skilled Master Cement Mason, Bricklayer and Tiler, his skills were constantly sought after for many projects throughout the tri-state area including the expansion and renewal of Interstates 79 and 90 in the 1970's; the repaving of numerous streets and sidewalks throughout Erie County, most notably during the rejuvenation of Downtown Erie and the restoration  of several historical buildings, fountains, and urban decor throughout the City of Erie, most notably the Carlisle Building and the newly built Millcreek Mall.
In his spare time, he was passionate about gardening, making wine, playing cards with his brothers, and being the life of the party. He enjoyed cooking Italian cuisine and would often invite others to eat at his table.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his six siblings, Giovanni, Girolamo, Michele, Rosario, Angela, and Bruno, as well as his ex- wife Concetta Testa; all of Sicily.
He is survived and will be missed dearly by his companion of almost 30 years, Ida Ricciuti, of Erie;  his four children, Rosalia (son-in-law Domenico of Rome, Italy),  Concetta (son-in-law Nino of Erie) Daniela (son-in-law Nino of Princeton, NJ) and Joseph Jr. (Kelly of Houston, TX)  He is also survived by his six grandchildren, AJ and Alyssa (of Erie), Giuseppe, Daniela, Antonino and Alessandro (of Princeton, NJ).  He will be greatly missed by Domenico (Lori of Erie), Giovanni (Tammie of Erie), Manuela (Jay of Erie) and his adopted grandchildren Zaina, Jackson, Sophia, and Dominic.
Friends are invited to call at the John J. Quinn Funeral Home, West 9th & Liberty St. on Friday from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM and are invited to attend Prayer Services there Saturday at 9:30 AM followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM in Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery.