Joseph Arena
Joseph Arena, age 59, of South Florida entered eternal rest on Saturday, November 24, 2018. Born on September 3, 1959 he was the son of the late Nicholas A. Arena Sr. and Rosalyn Aulenti Arena. He is predeceased by his grandparents and his infant sister Jennifer Rose. Joseph is known to his family as “Joey” and later in life he was called Joe.
Joseph is survived by his former wife Pauline Arena and the greatest blessing of his life, their son Vincent.
He is also survived by two brothers, Nicholas and his wife Patrice, Anthony and his wife Karen, nephews David, Matthew, Michael and a niece Kristen Arena. Surviving also are many cousins (too many to mention by name), several aunts, and a wealth of friends throughout the states.
Joseph is survived by a stepdaughter, Nicole Ricca and her husband Winston Thomas, three grandchildren Nyla, London, and Aspen, who were the joy of his life!
Joseph spent the greater part of his life in his beloved “West Side” of Stamford and moved to Florida in 1996. He was a graduate of Sacred Heart Elementary School and J.M. Wright Technical School.
Joseph was employed by the City of Stamford, having worked in public works and Parks and Recreation. He was very proud of his work at Cubeta Stadium, which became the “crown jewel” of baseball facilities in the City of Stamford. In Florida, he worked for the City of Fort Lauderdale, being the chief of the Distribution and Collection Department, until his retirement in 2017.
A skilled craftsman, there wasn’t anything that he couldn’t fix, except as he would say “I can’t fix a broken heart”. He had a very strong work ethic and was gifted with many talents. A self-taught landscaper, he could name any tree, grass type, ornamental flower, and loved the nature of the plant world! He also dabbled in carpentry, auto repair, plumbing, an all-around “Mr. Fix It”.
Joseph was a proud member of the 1974- 1975 Clairol Colts, a Pop Warner football team in Stamford. “This team was ranked 4th nationally “as he would proudly proclaim! He also played Babe Ruth baseball and recreational softball. He utilized those skills as a little league coach in Florida.
Joseph loved the holiday season, especially playing the role of “Santa”. He volunteered at “Toys for Tots” in Stamford, and the “Upper Room” in South Florida, much to the delight of little children. He was Santa, to his niece and nephews, cousins, grandchildren, neighbors, and friends. At request, Santa would pick up his sack and jingle bells to greet the children with a boisterous “Ho, Ho, Ho”
Joseph loved his hometown and his heart never left his childhood home on Virgil Street in Stamford’s West Side. If you drive by in springtime, the Kwanzan cherry trees in full bloom, the yard displays the fruits of his labor. When the news of his passing became public, Facebook exploded with an overwhelming outpouring from the many lives he touched. As one friend stated, “the best heart and best friend you would ever want by your side”!
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Church on Schuyler Avenue on January 19th, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers the family kindly requests that donations may be made in Joe’s memory to his son, Vincent Arena for his educational fund C/O Rosalyn Arena 46 Virgil Street Stamford, CT 06902.