Joseph Benzonelli

Joe Benzonelli was born to Antonio and Erminia Benzonelli on March 16, 1925 and passed away peacefully at his home on November 18, 2021. He was a lifelong resident of Humboldt County.

Joe was a kind and hardworking man. He started working at local dairies when he was 16 years old. He did that for 10 years and in the 1950s he started working installing ceramic tile. He worked in many schools, businesses and homes installing tile until 2008 when he was 83. He also worked at the bulb farm in McKinleyville and tended bar at the Eagles Lodge in Eureka.
Joe loved watching sports, and had a special love for the San Francisco Giants. He had a cat that showed up on his doorstep seven years ago. Joe named him Morris and they have been inseparable ever since.

Joe is survived by his son, Mark Benzonelli, his grandchildren, Jerod Day, Jacob Day, Kristina Johnson, and Asondra Johnson and several great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Carlotta Cloney (Stan), his sister in laws, Stella Benzonelli and Stella Duggan. Joe was especially close to three of his nieces, Julie Smith(Allen), Kerry Duggan and Lauri Duggan. Joe is also survived by numerous other nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Evelyn, his daughter Lisa Day, his sister Mary Jean Estevo, his brother Gottardo Benzonelli and his nephew Curtis Estevo.

A special thank you to Joe's neighbor and friend, Kimberly Hallum, his niece Kerry Duggan and his niece and nephew Jeanette and Ed Woodcock for the love and care they gave Joe.

There will be a graveside service for Joe on Friday, January 21 at 1:00 pm. The service will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Arcata, California.

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