Joseph Randazzo

Joseph S. Randazzo, age 92, passed away on August 23, 2022, at his home on Sugar Island.

Joseph was born in Chicago, IL on January 12, 1930, the son of the late Rosario and Teresa (Mitchell) Randazzo.  He served his country in the U.S. Coast Guard and was stationed in Sault Ste. Marie, where he met and married his beautiful wife, Ruth Mattson.  They married on December 6, 1952, at St. Joseph Church in Rudyard.  Prior to returning to Sault Ste Marie, he worked as a police officer for the City of Chicago, IL. They decided after eleven years they would move their family back to the Upper Peninsula where Ruth was born and raised to raise their young family, in God’s country as how he affectionately referred to Sugar Island. Joe worked as an electrician for the Corp of Engineers, until his retirement in 1990. 

Joe enjoyed woodworking, and made countless pieces of furniture for family, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  If you wanted it, he would tackle making it for you.  Joe also loved attending to his strawberry patch, apple trees, and his flower gardens.  Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends on Sugar Island.  He was a lifetime member of the Christopher Columbus Hall and the American Legion Post #3.

Joe is survived by his wife: Ruth Randazzo; four children: John (Rebecca) Randazzo and Theresa (Robert) Quinn both of Sault Ste. Marie, Joseph Edward (Susan) Randazzo of Traverse City, and Laurie (Steven Porcaro) Glueck of Pickford; 11 grandchildren: Joseph Samuel, Elyse, Jennifer, Matthew, Kristi, Ryan, Robert, Kaitlyn, Jillian, Marc, and Lindsay; and 12 great-grandchildren.  He is also survived by a sister: Antoinette Apicella of Chicago, IL; two brothers: Timothy (Ann) Randazzo and Rosario (Gloria) Randazzo both of Chicago, IL; many nieces and nephews who loved him as his grandchildren do, and countless friends who weren’t friends at all, they were family.  There wasn’t a soul who would knock on their door that wasn’t invited in for a warm meal and coffee. 

Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, a brother: Edward Randazzo; and a sister: Julia D’Amore.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, August 31, 2022, at the Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church with Father Nick Thompson as celebrant.  Friends may gather at the church that same day starting at 10:00 AM. Immediately following the mass, a luncheon will be held at the Christopher Columbus Italian Society Hall, 201 Sheridan Drive to share and reminisce Joe’s beautiful life. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left to Sault Ladies Auxiliary of My Michigan Health – Sault Ste Marie, MI or Hospice of the EUP.