Joseph Serafino Carnabuci, a prominent Brockton attorney, died peacefully on August 8th, 2021 after a long illness. Son of Josephine (Zarrella) and Joseph Carnabuci Sr., he dedicated his life to his family, friends, and profession.
Joe graduated from Brockton High School in 1953 where he was president of his class for three years. He was a Dean’s list student at Brown University, majoring in history. With the intention of marrying his high school sweetheart, a musician, he even took a music appreciation course! After graduating from Brown, he entered the U.S. Navy. In 1960, he received the Navy Unit Commendation from the Secretary of the Navy for outstanding achievement. He was serving aboard the USS Observation Island operating out of Cape Canaveral, FL during the firing of the Polaris fleet ballistic missile.
Honorably discharged from the Navy as Lieutenant Junior Officer, Joe furthered his education at Boston University Graduate School of Business and graduated from Suffolk University School of Law in 1968, where he had attended law school at night. He served as Assistant Manager of the Brockton Chamber of Commerce and was appointed Executive Director of the North Attleboro Chamber of Commerce for four years.
In 1962, he married the love of his life, Catherine Rose Solomita of Brockton. Together they attended hundreds of performances of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Metropolitan Opera, and also enjoyed choral music—especially Chorus pro Musica concerts. Art and theatre were important elements in their life together and with family. They travelled abroad, including many trips to Italy. At home during the pandemic they enjoyed their weekly theme-based family Zoom sessions. They would have celebrated 59 years of marriage on August 11th.
During his years as an attorney, Joe was a member of the Plymouth County Bar Association, serving for a time as its president, and a recipient of the Alan M. Hale Award for providing outstanding legal services in MA. He was recognized as a mentor to other attorneys throughout his career.
Joe was known as both a skilled attorney and a compassionate human being. He was known to help less fortunate people, taking time to counsel and console them. He was ‘one of a kind,’ an exceptionally caring individual.
He will be missed, but always will be in the thoughts of his loving family.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sons: Joseph and his wife Madaline of Brockton, Christopher and his wife Paula of Cold Spring, NY and Anthony and his wife Kwan of Rockport, MA; his four grandchildren: Joseph (affectionately known by his Papa as Jaybird); Catherine Mary of Los Angeles, CA; Gabriela and Sophia of Brooklyn, NY. He also leaves his brother Leo, two nephews, David and Edward, and several cousins.
At the family’s request, a private service was held.
Donations in his honor may be sent to: http://www.brocktoninterfaith.org/ Brockton Interfaith Community, Mutual Aid Brockton, 1350 Pleasant St. Brockton, MA 02301.