Obituary of Joseph Califano

Beloved father and cherished grandfather Beloved father and cherished grandfather, Joseph Califano, age 85, passed away on December 30, 2022 after a long and courageous battle with Multiple Sclerosis. Born in Brooklyn, he and his young family moved to the New Springville area of Staten Island in 1969, where he and his cherished late wife, Stella, had resided since. Joseph graduated from the New York School of Printers in Manhattan. With an indomitable belief in self-reliance and entrepreneurship, he became the proprietor of The Industrial Printers in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn until he retired in 1996 after 37 years. Joseph served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1958 to 1964. He was stationed at Fort Dix, N.J. and attained the rank of specialist 4th class. Joseph was a voracious reader and a lifelong learner, a coin collector, and an avid gardener until his disability. Joseph also served as the vice president/treasurer of the Staten Island Multiple Sclerosis Society. Surviving are his daughter Claudia Califano, son-in-law Charles Tortorici and grandchildren Charles, Jr. and Aurelia, and daughter Andrea Califano-Brady, and son-in-law Scott Brady. Viewing will be held on Monday, January 2, 2023, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Matthew Funeral Home. A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, January 3 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Pity R.C. Church, 1616 Richmond Ave, Staten Island, NY 10314 followed by the interment at Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn. To send condolences please visit matthewfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Staten Island Multiple Sclerosis Group (make checks payable to: SIMS Group, c/o Brenda Sammarco, 421 Armstrong Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10308). Matthew Funeral Home, 2508 Victory Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10314