Joseph James Busico
May 27, 2008 | 1899 views | 0 | 15 | |
Joseph James Busico, our father, brother, grandfather, uncle and friend passed away peacefully at his home on May 22, 2008. Joe was born on October 14, 1929. He is one of 10 children of Vincenzo James and Chiarina Mastronardi Busico, parents who immigrated to America from Italy in the early 1900's. Joe was educated in Tooele and is a graduate of Tooele High School. He married Barbara Hector in 1950 and they became parents of six children: Paul, Kathleen, Julie, Gino, Carol and Mark. Barbara and Joe divorced. He married Maurine "Blondie" Larsen and they were together for thirty years until her unexpected death in October, 2000. Joe is a proud and devoted member of St. Marguerite's Catholic Church.
Joe served this country with the Army 4th Infantry Division during the Korean War.
He was well known for his hard work and countless hours of service and dedication to the Tooele Community. He managed Busico's Cash Store in new town for nearly 30 years, where patrons/friends remember buying fresh produce, butcher block meat, baked goods, soda pop in bottles, ice cream bars and penny candy. He worked for Christensen & Griffith Construction, was Tooele City's Parks and Recreation Director for 20 years. Joe served on the Tooele County School District Board of Education for eight years, where he had a part in obtaining funds for the construction of the Oquirrh Hills School (Early Learning Center) for students with special needs, East Elementary, Tooele Junior High and Grantsville Middle/Junior High School. Joe was President of the United Cerebral Palsy Foundation for many years. He worked hard to pass legislation that allowed handicapped children the opportunity to be educated in our public schools.
Joe was a compassionate gentleman and has spent countless hours caring for others. For that, he is very well respected. He was a loving father and grandfather whose passion was providing for his family. His love for the outdoors and sports activities kept him busy for many years. He was a football, basketball and baseball official for over 50 years. He has been honored by local, state and national officials organizations for his contributions to athletics. He played baseball for Red DelPapa, coached county youth basketball and baseball and has coached high school aged students for the Catholic Youth Organization. Joe enjoyed hunting, fishing, landscaping yards, caring for his grandchildren and golf. He was proud to be considered a winner among his golf partners.
Joe is survived by his children: Paul (Dana Elmer), Julie (Robert Couraud), Gino, Carol, and Mark (Valerie Millward), Mary Lou and Joseph (niece and nephew he raised), brother Tony Busico, sisters, Angie Burris, Mary Cerroni, Ann (Gerald) Gordon, Louise Busico, Dollie (Richard) Gregrich, 10 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, the Larsen family, many nieces, nephews, friends and acquaintances. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Kathy (his daughter), Maurine (his wife) and Lena Teter, Pearl Miller and Edith Morrell (sisters).
Funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at St. Marguerite's Catholic Church, 510 E. Vine St., Tooele. Family and friends may pay their respects at a viewing on Tuesday, May 27, from 6-8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the Busico Scholarship Foundation c/o Paul or Julie Busico.
Read more: Tooele Transcript Bulletin - Joseph James Busico
