Mr. Joseph "Joe" Rocco Panetta

Mr. Joseph Rocco “Joe” Panetta, age 48, bravely fought his battle with cancer, and on Saturday, January 7, 2017 he left the loving arms of his husband Ron to be in the arms of the Lord. His passing occurred in the comfort and dignity of his home in Manhattan. Born in Utica on February 15, 1968, Joseph was the son of Marie (Fiore) Panetta and the late Joseph R. Panetta. Raised and educated in Oriskany, he was a graduate of Notre Dame High School. He continued his education at Colgate University where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science in 1990. Joe met Ron Gwiazda, the love of his life, in 1990, and shared with him a loving and supportive union of 26 years. Joe began his working career at the American Stock Exchange as a Senior Analyst in Compensation. He went on to a position with the Guardian Royal Exchange (GRE) Insurance Group as Vice-President of Compensation & Human Resources Information System (HRIS). Lastly, he moved on to a career at Ogilvy & Mather, a New York City-based advertising, marketing, and public relations agency. During his 17 year tenure with the company, he became a senior partner and Director of Global Human Resources, and Compensation & Chief Ethics Officer at the North American Human Resources Unit. It was unknown to Joe that he was scheduled to receive the David Ogilvy Award this Thursday night, the highest honor to be conferred by this firm. Joe loved to travel and he enjoyed entertaining friends and family. He was a devoted husband, son, brother, uncle, and brother-in-law. He was optimistic, loving, very generous, and humble. Joe’s beautiful smile reflected his sunny disposition, great sense of humor, and fun-loving personality. He was also a strong supporter of human rights, especially the LGBT community and volunteered his time for God’s Love We Deliver, a charitable organization that provides nutritious meals to house-bound people. Joseph is survived by his loving husband, Ron; his cherished mother, Marie, who was Joe’s “Little Mombo”; and his sisters and brothers-in-law, Donna and Michael Hinman, Jo-Ann and Robbie Talerico, and MaryAnn and Anthony Brillante. He also leaves his nieces and nephews, Carissa Hinman, Cara and Rusty Rainer, Christopher and Jenn Brillante, Michael and Jennifer Hinman, Amanda and Jose Balseca, Travis Talerico, Lily Marie Belardo, and Olivia Rose Belardo; his great-nieces and great-nephews, Chloe Hinman, Rexton Hinman, Noelle Hinman, and Giovanni Brillante; his cousins; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Barbara and Ronald Gwiazda; his sister-in-law, Bethann Belardo; and the countless friendships that Joe held close to his heart. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Joseph’s funeral service and Celebration of Life which will commence on Friday morning at 10:00 at Historic Old St. John’s Church where his Mass of Christian Burial will be offered by Rev. John Buehler. The family will receive visitors at the conclusion of the service. In lieu of floral offerings, please consider a memorial contribution in Joe’s honor to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 3810 or online at http://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR/TAEvents/Events?px=4379621&pg=personal&fr_id=59427 ; envelopes will be available at the church. “Love you Mom. Talk to you soon.”

Mr. Joseph "Joe" Rocco Panetta

February 15, 1968 - January 7, 2017