Joseph Villa

Less than two weeks before his 97th birthday, Joseph Villa, formerly of Arnold Avenue, Amsterdam, NY, passed peacefully into eternal life Wednesday morning, December 21, 2016, at Wilkinson Residential Health Care Facility in Amsterdam.

Born on January 3, 1920, he was the son of the late James and Adelina DiCaprio Villa.

Joe received his education in the Amsterdam school system and was a 1937 graduate of Wilbur H. Lynch Senior High School. He was a gifted athlete and faithful hard working son and brother in his youth. Joe was a devoted son, husband and father throughout his life.

Joe was a United States Army Air force veteran of World War II, serving from 1941 to 1945. Under the new draft number system, Joe drew the first number and was the first person to be drafted. Joe was an air crew member and radio operator mechanic. He was also assigned to one of the B-17 flying fortress heavy bombers in the Pacific Theater.

Joe retired from the US Postal service in 1980 and lived many happy, healthy years with his beloved Catherine; they would have been married 74 years on December 13th.

Joe was a parishioner and communicant of St. Mary’s Church. He was also a member St. Mary’s Holy Name Society, Monsignor William A. Brown Knights of Columbus Council 209, Amsterdam Elks Lodge 101 and volunteered for GAVAC in many capacities from 1982 to 2000.

Joe was predeceased by his wife Catherine Colistra Villa on February 24, 2014. Joe is survived by his two sons, James Villa (Debra) of Old Lyme, CT, and Richard Villa (Carolyn Jordan) of Guilderland, NY, four grandchildren,, Catherine Flynn Villa of Boston, MA.; James D. Villa (Alice) of Irvington, NY, Joel Villa (Lisa) and Richard Villa II of Guilderland, NY, six great grandchildren, Jacob, Luke, Zoe, Elizabeth Catherine, Matthew and Ava Villa, three brothers, Mario, Richard and Frank Villa. Many nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.

Joe’s family would like to thank Dr. Kevin Cope and the entire staff and nurses at Wilkinson
and Community Hospice for all of the compassion and care they showed towards Joe during his stay at the facility

Calling hours are Tuesday, December 27, 2016 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Riley Mortuary.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday morning, December 28, 2016 at 10:30 at the Riley Mortuary, Inc., 110 Division Street, Amsterdam, NY, followed at 11:15 by a Mass of Christian Burial, which will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Church, 156 East Main Street, Amsterdam.

Interment will follow at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cemetery.

Memorial gifts in Joe’s Name may be made to GAVAC, P.O. Box 11, Amsterdam, NY 12010