Joseph Totero

Joseph A. Totero, 90, passed away, on his birthday, at Ridgewood Health Care Center on Thursday, April 9, 2009. He was born in Racine on April 9, 1919 the son of the late Achille “Albert” and Mary (nee: Gaudio) Totero. On September 7, 1940, in St. Stanislaus Church, he was united in marriage to the former Elvie DeLuca. Joe had been employed by S.C. Johnson and Son for over 28 years, retiring in 1981. He was a member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, Roma Lodge, and the S.C. Johnson 20 Year Club. Joe was a diehard Cubs and Packers fan. Joe had an extremely good sense of humor and took every opportunity to put it to use. He was a devoted family man and will be deeply missed by all of his family and friends. Surviving are his devoted wife Elvie; their daughters, Barbara (Daniel) Hintz of Union Grove, and Marilyn Hager of Aliso Viejo, CA; 6 grandchildren, Michael Marshall of Kenosha, Gina (Noli) Ambasan of Racine, Shari (Scott) Oberst of Kenosha, Jennifer (Marcus) Rodriguez of Monarch Beach, CA, Jeff Hager of Union Grove, and Joey (Sabrina) Hager of Temecula, CA; 10 great-grandchildren, Stephanie, Alyssa, Kaylee, Adam, John, Taylor, Leah, Alexandria, Nathan, and Jacob; brothers Sam Totero of Racine and Robert (Fern) Totero of Sun City, FL; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Art (Frances) DeLuca, Ector (Mamie) DeLuca, Charlotte Silvio, Joe (Kathy) DeLuca, and Sally DeLuca. His nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends further survive him. In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by sister Carm (Al) Christiano, brother Tony (Antoinette) Totero, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Virginia Totero, Ernest (Helen) DeLuca, Tome DeLuca and Frank Silvio. His Funeral Mass is scheduled for Tuesday, April 14th at 11:00 a.m. in St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 6400 Spring St., with Rev. William J. Dietzler officiating. Visitation will be in the church on Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass. Entombment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery Hwy 32. The family has suggested memorials to St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church. The family wishes to thank the entire staff of Ridgewood Health Care Center for the care and compassion shown Joe and his family.