Joseph Morettini

Joseph Morettini, age 96, of Erie, passed away on Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at St. Vincent Medical Center.

He was born on July 29, 1924, to the late Gabriel and Claudia (née Tamarise) Morettini in Lima, Peru; the second oldest of ten children. He arrived in Erie at the age of three months.

In 1943, Joseph was drafted into the United States Army during WWII and was assigned to E Company, 2^nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment. He fought in most major European campaigns in which the 82^nd Airborne participated, including Normandy, Holland, Rhineland, Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge) and Central Europe, completing two combat jumps. He also served in Eisenhower’s Honor Guard.  He earned the French Legion of Honor, French Croix de Guerre, Bronze Star Medal for Valor, World War II Victory Medal, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Good Conduct Medal, Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four Bronze Stars, Occupational Medal, and 508^th Presidential Unit Citation.

After a courageous run with the Army, Joseph returned to Erie and worked as a machinist at Zurn Industries for many years.

Joseph was an avid fisherman and enjoyed the outdoors. He was also an accomplished wine maker.  He loved spending time with his family and will be greatly missed by all.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Sophie “Sally” Morettini (née Oprzondek); daughter, Eva Rogers; son, John J. Morettini; and his siblings, Louis Morettini, Judy Noonan, Inez Gonda, Helen Hair, and Dulio Morettini.

He is survived by a son, Anthony J. Morettini and his wife Catherine; siblings, Eva Porter, Shirley Warren, Claudia Morettini and Gabriel Morettini; 8 grandchildren, Lisa Haering, Rebecca Brothers, Dean Rogers, Eric Rogers, John G. Morettini, Casie Morettini, Christine Morettini and Joseph G. Morettini; 14 great grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren.

Friends may call at the Burton Quinn Scott Cremation and Funeral Services, West Ridge 3801 W. 26^th Street (at Powell Ave) on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. and on Monday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. All CDC guidelines will be followed, capacity limits and social distancing will be respected, and masks are required.

A private Mass of Christian Burial will be help at Blessed Sacrament Church on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. The service will be livestreamed and can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/BurtonFuneralHomesAndCrematoryInc. Burial to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery with full Military Honors.

Send condolences at www.Burtonfuneralhome.com