Joseph Francis Bettina
Joseph Francis Bettina, 82, a lifelong resident of Chelsea, Wappingers Falls, died August 6, 2005, surrounded by family. He has joined his loving wife, Anne, who predeceased him in September 1999.
He was born in Beacon on August 29, 1922, to parents Vincenzo and Bernice Ferrone Bettina. He attended Beacon schools and enlisted in the US Army in 1939. He proudly served his country in the European Theatre actively in France, Germany, and Austria with the 44th Division, 156th Field Artillery. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Ribbon, EAME Service Ribbon, three Bronze Stars, and a Silver Service Star. He was honorably discharged in October, 1945. He was a member of The U.S. Army Boxing Team, an Army boxing instructor, and a US Army East Coast Heavyweight Champion ; a former heavyweight Golden Gloves Champion, and later also fought professionally. He also played semi-pro football in the 1940s for the Beacon Bears for several years. Joe was inducted into the Dutchess County Hall of Fame for Boxing.
He was employed by IBM in Poughkeepsie and later in East Fishkill, retiring from management in 1984 after 36 years of service where he made many friends over the years.
He was a communicant of St. Joachim-St. John the Evangelist Church, Beacon, a member of Trinity Council #445, Knights of Columbus; St. Rocco’s Society, past member of the Beacon Recreation Commission, past member of Chelsea Volunteer Fire Department, and the IBM Quarter Century Club. Joe, along with his cousin, Jim Fredericks, founded the Five-Star Boxing Club, which instructed area youth in the art of boxing for many years.
On February 19, 1950, he married the former Anne V. Perpetua, at St. John the Evangelist Church, Beacon.
Joe was an avid sports fan who enjoyed playing golf, watching football and baseball, especially his favorite team, the NY Yankees.
Joe was loved by everyone and touched many lives with his acts of kindness, caring, and humor. His constant smile will be missed by all who knew him. His children would like family and friends to join in celebration of the wonderful life Joe lived. His legacy is the inspiration and the unending generosity he offered to other which was evident by a lifetime of helping those in need.
He is survived by his loving children, Beverly Bettina Sarich, and her husband, Stephen, of Beacon; Joseph F. Bettina, Jr. and his wife, Nancy, of Pleasant Valley; and Ann Marie Cooper, Beacon. He also leaves behind his grandchildren: Melanie, Melinda, Laura, Matthew, Dominic, and Damien; several great-grandchildren, his brother, Frank Bettina, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by a sister, Reita Ricevuto, and brothers, Louis, Melio, and Rocco Bettina.
Visitation will be Tuesday, August 9, 2005, at Halvey Funeral Home, Inc., 24 Willow St., Beacon, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Trinity Council, K of C, will conduct services at 8 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 10, 2005, at St. John’s, 35 Willow Street, Beacon.
Interment will follow in St. Joachim’s Cemetery, 303 Washington Avenue, Beacon.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Halvey Funeral Home, Inc., Beacon. To send the family a condolence or for driving directions, please visit halveyfh.com.
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