Obituary of Joseph J. Metallo, Sr.

Joseph J. Metallo Sr., 94, died on Saturday, April 15 at his home in Syracuse. Joe was a veteran of the US Navy and retired from Chrysler as a tin smith.  He was a communicant of Blessed Sacrament Church. Joe was a familiar figure in his church.  He was a member of the Nocturnal Adoration Society. Along with serving daily morning Mass and lecturing, Joe worked faithfully in the food pantry. He was a steadfast Right to Life advocate participating in marches and Life Chains. In 2014, he and his wife Betty received the Immaculata Medallion in recognition of their extraordinary service to their parish.
Our dad was a talented man. His wood work is in many homes including beds he made for his first grandchildren and a cradle he made for his great grandchildren. There wasn’t a project that didn’t carry his mark. If you look up to the beautiful cross on the steeple of Sacred Heart Church you can think of Joe. While working construction, he helped raise that cross.
Joe loved to be around people. He was funny, a good dancer, and loved a good joke. He entertained his grandchildren and great grandchildren with his Donald Duck impression.
In 2000 Joe welcomed seven more children into his family when he married Betty Rougeau.He lived the rest of his life surrounded by a huge, loving family.
He is pre-deceased by his first wife Florence; his parents: Paul and Nellie Yemma Metallo; a son Joseph Jr; and step-children: Sandra and her husband Deacon Thomas Kane.
He is survived by his wife Betty Rougeau Metallo; his children: Patricia (Tom) Brody of Syracuse, Paula (Sandro) Montanari of Italy, Teresa (Tom) Long of Fayetteville, Mark (Debbie) of Liverpool, Joanne Metallo ( Vince Melfi) of North Syracuse, Christopher (Nancy) of Florida, Tom (Laura) of Connecticut, Tim (Marianne) of California, Elizabeth (Don) McDade of Texas, Kathleen (Dr. Dave) Mason of Manilus; step children: Thomas (Nancy) Rougeau, Gary (Lillian) Rougeau, John(Joyce) Rougeau, Mary Rougeau, Patricia (Roger) Auger, Lawrence (Katherine Durkin) Rougeau; a sister Kathleen Phillips; grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The funeral mass will be held at 11am Wednesday in Blessed Sacrament Church.  Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Dewitt.  Calling hours will be held from 9-11am before the mass in Church.
Memorial contributions may be made to Blessed Sacrament Church.