Joe 'Gioacchino' Saputo

Friday, Oct. 21, 2016

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and uncle, Joe Saputo, 87, of Salt Lake City, passed away on Oct. 9, 2016 at home of natural causes. 

He was born on Sept. 21, 1929 in Palermo, Italy to Giovanna Barrela and Gioacchino Saputo. Joe became a naturalized American citizen on Sept. 12, 1977. He learned his trade as a brick and stone mason in Italy. He retired from SLC Parks and Recreation after 27 years as field supervisor, then continued to work for the city as a crossing guard for several years and later retired from Valley Mental Health as a van driver after 11 years. Most recently, at age 85, he worked as a host at a local Italian restaurant, Per Noi.  

Joe was a member of Saint Ann Parish and had a lifetime membership in the Italian-American Civic League of Utah. His favorite pastimes were playing cards with friends, and watching television, especially sports and the Utah Jazz. In the past, he enjoyed fishing occasionally.

He was married to Gloria, his beloved wife of 40 years. The couple had two daughters: Margaret and Gloria Gina. Gloria will always remember their song, “Sweet September.” Joe also had four daughters from a previous marriage: Gianna Brown, Franca Saputo, Vita Garrett and Adriana Ortega. The couple had 16 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. 

Joe had five brothers and three sisters. He is survived by brothers Francesco and Giovanni, and sister Gina. Preceding him in death were brothers Antonino, Enzo and Salvaltore, and sisters Maria and Concetta.  

A special thank you to Dr. C. Christian Romney, who took especially good care of Joe over the years.

Joe will be fondly remembered and missed by all who knew him. He was a kind and gentle man and a respectable man. He was a pillar of the community. His grandson, Cristiano, remembers his nonno (grandpa in Italian) that “He liked spa sghetti.”

A funeral Mass was celebrated Oct. 18 at Saint Ann Catholic Church.