Joseph A. Carucci

Olean- Joseph Alfonso Carucci

Joseph A. Carucci of East Green Street passed away on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at Olean General Hospital following an illness.

Joseph Alfonso Carucci was born Nov. 2, 1935 in Olean. “Papa Joe” is how he was known. He left an impression on everyone he met. He always made everyone feel welcome and treated them like family. He was "the hostess with mostest” his grandkids would say. Joe was the son of Italian immigrants Domenick Carucci and Angelina Lenotti. 

He graduated from Olean High School in 1953. Joe served in the Army from 1955-1957. He married Marlene Belvees in 1958. He married Michelle La Rue in 1982. Joe was a legendary meatcutter. He started his career at A&P and 44 years and 4 months later retired from Quality Markets. During deer season he cut deer up for people in his garage with his son David and grandsons Andrew and Matthew. Joe had his father's old hand cranked wine press and would invite the kids from the neighborhood to collect apples and make apple cider out in the garage. Papa Joe was truly a family man. He attended every possible sporting event that his kids and grandkids participated in. He was always the loudest fan. He loved family reunions and family get togethers. Each of his grandchildren had their own special nickname. 

Any sports fan in the Southern Tier is familiar with Joe Carucci, a long-time official in numerous local sports. A 1953 Olean Huskie, Joe has umpired countless athletic events in the area at both the high school and rec league levels.  Outside of the high school setting for the past 30 years or so, Joe has officiated summer basketball, volleyball, tavern league softball, and church league softball. He worked the Gus Macker Basketball Tournaments in Warren, PA, along with Olean and Jamestown for 20 years. In addition, he has umpired countless softball tournaments over that same period. He was also the co-founder of the St. Mary’s of the Angels Spring Festival. 

At the high school level, Joe served as an official for the local IAABO Basketball Officials’ Tournament from 1986-2018. He had been a member of the Cattaraugus County Board of Basketball Officials from 1987-2019, retiring from that sport. He has also officiated softball and volleyball as a member of the Cattaraugus County Board of Officials for those two sports. He was also the Bingo Inspector for many years. He loved to fish, dance, and play cards. Joe loved to fish, especially in the Ishua Creek. He always said he ate so many fish out of the Icshua that he wanted some of his ashes spread there so the fish could eat him.  Joe and Mickey would be the first ones on the dance floor or make one of their own if there wasn’t one. Playing cards!! He could remember what everyone threw 2 hands ago. Pinochle, Euchre, slide’em..He never missed a beat. He enjoyed his Thursday night dinner club and getting together with friends. He was also an avid gardener. He was always giving vegetables to whoever wanted them.

 Papa Joe is survived by his wife Michelle (Mickey), sister Elma Crisafulli, brother Benny (Barbara) 5 children, David, Shelly (Frank Giacalone), Lori, Tonia (Jeff Sibilio) and VJ, 15 grandchildren, Jonathon (Lupita), Andrew (Courtney), Jocelyn (Garrett), Matthew, Joey (Alana), Brandon, Justin, Alisha, Ethan, Jennifer, Madison, Kaiya, Mia, Cara, and Megan and 6 great grandchildren, Ian, Liam, Eli, Emmitt, Sophia and Estella. Papa Joe lived a full wonderful life. Papa Joe - The Man, The Myth, The Legend... Rest in Peace. 

A celebration of life gathering will be held Wednesday July 5, 2023, from 10:00am-2:00pm at Century Manor 401 East State Street. Arrangements are under the direction of the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc., 646 E. State St., Olean Online condolences may be made at www.letromcintoshspinkfuneralhome.com

 In lieu of flowers memorials can be made payable to the Olean City School District Foundation/CRCF at 301 Suite 203 N. Union St. Olean, NY 14760 in memory of Joseph Carucci.