Joseph S. “Joe the Barber” Armeli

JOSEPH S. “JOE THE BARBER” ARMELI

HORNELL-Joseph S. “Joe the Barber” Armeli, 91, formerly of 46 John St., passed away Thursday evening (June 12, 2008) at McAuley Manor in North Hornell, after a long illness.
Born in Jamestown on May 23, 1917, he was a son of the late Rossario and Bessie Foti Armeli. On June 14, 1941, he was married at St. Ann’s Church in Hornell to the former Josephine Grillo, who predeceased him on the same day, 32 years ago, June 12, 1976, after 35 years of marriage. Besides his parents and wife, he was also predeceased by his brother, Nunzio Armeli.
A graduate of Jamestown High School, Joe has resided in Hornell for most of his life. He served with the U.S. Army from 1944 to his honorable discharge in 1946 as a Medical Technician Fifth Grade with the 129th Evacuation Hospital Semi-Mobile Unit.
Formerly employed with the Conservation Corps in West Almond, he owned and operated Joe’s Barber Shop in Hornell for 52 years. Joe was also a partner in the operation a fish and tackle shop that was located on River Street in Hornell where they made one man rowing boats. He also served one term as a Third Ward Alderman for the City of Hornell.
A member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish, he was a communicant of St. Ann’s Church. He was also a former member of the Cpl. J.J. Mooney V.F.W. Post No. 2250 in, the Arthur H. Cunningham American Legion Post No. 440, the Carducci Lodge Sons of Italy, and the Moose Lodge No. 210 in Hornell.
Joe enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing, gardening as well as baking and cooking.
His family includes his two sons, Anthony “Tony” (Sharon) Armeli of Hornell and Joseph (Elizabeth) Armeli of Wayland; his nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; his two brothers, Anthony Armeli of Jamestown and Samuel Armeli of Niagara Falls; his sister, Jennie Patternitti of Jamestown; also his nieces, nephews and cousins.
Calling hours are from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Monday at the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc., 285 Main St., Hornell. Friends are invited to meet his family at St. Ann’s Church where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday. Committal prayers and interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Town of Fremont.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in his memory to the School of the Holy Childhood, 100 Groton Parkway, Rochester, N.Y. 14623. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the funeral home.

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