Obituary of Joseph Ghioto

Joseph Marion Ghioto, 89, beloved son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather died on April 11, 2008 in Tavares, FL. Born in Jacksonville on May 2, 1918, Joe was the sixth of eleven children of the late Henry Telfair Ghioto and Mary Ann Losco Ghioto.

Educated at St. Joseph Academy in Springfield and then at Immaculate Conception High School, Joseph assisted his father in his livestock business and also caddied at the Municipal Golf Course (Brentwood). After high school he worked at Ward Baking Company. At the start of WWII he went with his younger brother, Fred, to Bermuda and worked on a dredge operated by the Army Corps of Engineers. He finished the war as a Commissaryman 1st Class (Baker) in the U.S. Navy aboard LST 1070 in the Pacific Theatre, ending up in Japan after its surrender.

On Sept. 5, 1944, he married Frances Mary Verna of Spotsylvania Co., VA. Joe and Frances had six children and they worked hard to insure that each received a Catholic school education. One of the founding families of Christ the King Catholic Church, Joe and Frances gave generously of their time, talent, and treasure. Their loving 39 year marriage ended in June 1983 with Francess untimely death from cancer at age 57.

In October 1985 Joe married Barbara Bailey McGinley of Whitefield, New Hampshire. They lived first in Jacksonville and in 1991 moved to the Eustis-Leesburg area.

Joes primary occupation was as a master tile setter, first with Jacksonville Tile Company for over 20 years and then self-employed in the trade for another twenty. His artistry with ceramic, slate, and quarry tile is displayed in countless northeast Florida residences and businesses.

Joe Ghioto was the epitome of a true Catholic gentleman who treated everyone with respect. His shining legacy will be his loving care and concern for his family and his Church. Those who met and got to know Joe were truly blessed. His immense love of life and wonderful sense of humor will be greatly missed.

Joe is survived by his loving wife, Barbara; his children, Phillip (Jeanette), Paul (Hazel), Stephen (Diane), Gregory (Rebbie), Martin (Debbie), and Emily Berlinghoff (Charles, Jr.); stepdaughter Jean Conrad; his brothers Wilfred (Banna), Frederick (Lorna), Vincent (Janice), and Ronald (Trudy); and two sisters, Mary Louise Pellicer and Anita Waugh (Jack); brother-in-law Jim Bailey; sister-in-law Bridget Ghioto; seventeen grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.

A viewing will be held from 6 pm to 8 pm on April 15 at Arlington Park Funeral Home in Jacksonville with a Bible reading at 6:30 led by Msgr. Vincent Haut. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Christ the King on Wednesday, April 16 at 10 am, with Fr. Thanh Nguyen as celebrant. A reception will be held afterwards in the church social hall.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests making a donation to a charity of choice and/or Hospice House, 12300 Lane Park Rd., Tavares, Fl 32778.