Joseph Andrew Pappalardo

Joseph Andrew Pappalardo, 94, born on September 16, 1925, in Keewatin, MN, passed away December 31, 2019. He resided in Monrovia, CA at the time of his passing after a long battle with mesothelioma.
Joseph grew up in Hibbing, MN and served in the US Navy from 1943 to 1946 during WW II.
He met the love of his life, Darlene, when he was 21 and together they married and settled in Pasadena, California in early 1949, moving to Duarte where they lived for over 60 years. Their last move was to be near their son, Mike, and his wife, Ann, in a home they built on Mike and Ann's property in Monrovia.
Joseph worked a number of jobs to support his family, but his perfection happened when he became the sports field maintenance man at San Marino High School. Joe's life-long love of sports and generally friendly personality served him well in San Marino and his attention to detail was appreciated by students and staff alike, so much so that the school offered a scholarship in his honour.
He was predeceased by his 5 sisters and his cherished grandson, Jason, who died at 5 years old. He most recently on August 21, 2019 lost his loving wife, Darlene, of 71 years.
He is survived by numerous loving family members for whom he lived his life and who provided him with his greatest joy. These include his daughter, Mary Jo (Dennis), his three sons, Michael (Ann), Joseph (Heidi), and Andrew (Kathy) and 13 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. The grandchildren are: Brian (Jessica), Kathleen (Vern), Bridgette (Candelario), Carrie (Daniel), Paul (Kirstin), Michael (Amber), Stephen (Denise), Andrea (Mike), Ashley (Bruno), Jolene (Mike), Jessica (Andrew), Alyssa (Jeremy), and Phillip (fiancé Mercy).
As mentioned previously, family was his main focus and no one who came into his family sphere felt unloved. In fact, he and Darlene have many "adopted" grandkids among his beloved nieces and nephews and grandkids spouses.
He was blessed to have many friends in the community and just recently got connected with a veterans group that rounded out his later years with much joy.
Finally, Joe covered all of this with faith as a long time parishioner of Annunciation Church and a faithful member of the Immaculate Conception Adoration chapel.
Please check Douglass and Zook in Monrovia for service details.