Joseph J. Valotta, 79
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Joseph James Valotta, 79, of 39 Foucher Ave. died April 7, 2002, at Sweet Brook Health Care Center in Williamstown, where he was admitted Feb. 20.Born in North Adams on May 6, 1922, son of Alfredo Valotta and Pauline Polizzi Valotta DiLorenzo, he attended North Adams schools and completed a carpenter's trade school in Boston.
A Marine Corps veteran of World War II, he enlisted on Nov. 11, 1942, and served as a cook from January 1943 to November 1945. He participated in the battles of Tarawa, Saipan, Tinian and Okinawa and received several campaign medals.
Mr. Valotta was employed by the former James Hunter Machine Co. Foundry. He later transferred to the main plant and was employed by its successor, Morrison Berkshire on South Church Street, in its maintenance department until his retirement in 1991. He worked at the former Lloyd's Bakery and the former Sprague Electric Co. before the war.
He was a communicant of Our Lady of the Incarnation Church and a former communicant of St. Anthony's Church. He was a member of Frank R. Stiles Post 996 Veterans of Foreign Wars, Dr. George L. Curran Post 125 American Legion, and the Hunter Quarter Century and Retirees' clubs.
He enjoyed hunting and fishing, and bowling with the James Hunter, Morrison Berkshire and Hoosac Valley leagues at Mount Greylock Bowl, where he scored a 300.
He and his wife, the former Lorna Mae Warner, were married July 24, 1948, in St. Anthony's Rectory.
Besides his wife, he leaves six daughters, Nancy Mae Howland and Dawn Marie Lampiasi, both of North Adams, Kathleen Ann Sepanek of Shutesbury, Shirley P. Valotta of Williamstown, Joanne Eva Dickinson of Ocean Springs, Miss., and Patricia Rose Sloan of Huntsville, Ala.; a son, Joseph James Valotta Jr. of North Adams; 15 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
Another daughter died in infancy in 1962. He also was predeceased by siblings James A., Michael, Margaret and Anthony "Tony" Valotta and Marie Litano.
FUNERAL NOTICE — The funeral for Mr. Valotta will be Wednesday, April 10, at 10 at FLYNN & DAGNOLI-MONTAGNA HOME FOR FUNERALS, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Mercy Shrine, 1282 Mass Ave., at 11. Burial will be in Southview Cemetery.
Calling hours at the funeral home will be tomorrow, April 9, from 4 to 7. Flowers or memorial donations to North Adams Adult Health Care Center or Alzheimer's Support Group through the funeral home.