Joseph Giusti, 97, of South Dartmouth, MA, and Longboat Key, FL, passed away on June 7, 2012. He was the husband of Vera (Brown) Giusti.
He was born in New Bedford and lived all of his life in that community, becoming president and chief executive officer of the Giusti Baking Company, a business established in the early 1900s by his father, Cesare Giusti and John Giusti. Upon retiring, he sold the business to Nissen Bakeries, and Joe and Vera began their joyful retirement, with many years spent sharing their time between their homes in South Dartmouth and Longboat Key. He was a past member and president of the New Bedford Rotary Club. He was a member of the Wamsutta Club, the Allendale Country Club, the Longboat Key Club. During his career in the baking industry, he was a director of the American Bakers Cooperative.
He is predeceased by his parents, Cesare and Caterina (Zanetti) Giusti and his siblings, Angelina Giusti, Cherubino Giusti, Eleanora Figazolo, Stella Allen and Edward Giusti. He was well known in his younger years for his athletic abilities on the football field for New Bedford High School and subsequently played for several years for the semi-professional football team, the Murphy Club. He also enjoyed his many years on the golf course.
In addition to his devoted and loving wife Vera, he is survived by his daughter, Catherine Potter, and husband William of Fairhaven, MA, and his son, Paul Giusti, and wife Lisa of Pittsburgh, PA. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Wendy Potter-da Silva, Linsay Daignault, Christina Giusti and Ted Matwijec, and his great granddaughter, Sarina da Silva, as well as many nieces and nephews.
His wife and family are grateful to the professional staff at the New Bedford Jewish Convalescent Home for their excellent care of Joseph in these past three months of his declining health. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made there in his memory or to a charity of one's choice.
Family and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Monday, June 11, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, where a memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. immediately following the visiting hours. Burial will be private. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.