Joseph Ettore Giannetti, Sr.
January 26, 1955 - †November 15, 2021

Joe, 66, passed away at his home in Marana on November 15, 2021. He was born January 26, 1955 in Schenectady, New York to Louis John and Carmella Immaculate Delgallo Giannetti.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Judith Ann Strozyk/Giannetti, his daughter Concetta (Manuel) Angela Giannetti/Velazquez, son Joseph (Suzanne) Ettore Giannetti Jr., and grandchildren Manuelito and Diego.

Joe lived in Schenectady, New York before moving to Phoenix and then Marana, Arizona. He was a general and commercial contractor whose hobbies included being a gun enthusiast and NRA member, teaching gun safety to children, riding his Harley Davidson Custom Softail, walking, reading many subjects, and rock and roll music.

Above all, he was a volunteer for God’s Church, teaching Religious Education while in New York and working for the Paz de Cristo foodbank in Phoenix.

Many, if not most, of us here at St. Christopher Parish have met Joe. His presence among us graced our lives, and he touched so many in our parish family.

When Joe was awaiting a liver transplant, he was truly moved by the outreach of our parishioners. "I had people coming up to me telling me they were praying for me, and I didn't even know who they were," he told me. "These people are not like anyone else." Our parishioners' love and commitment touched him deeply, and our brother Joe gave it right back.

Just as the COVID crisis began, our prayers for Joe were answered when he finally received the transplant he had waited many years for. However, within two months he was diagnosed with cancer. The doctors predicted that he only had about four months to live.

How did Joe respond to this news? First, he and the prayer warriors who had been praying for him redoubled their prayers for his health. Strengthened and unafraid, he then accepted election as Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council 14089, who meet here at St. Christopher. As many of you know, Joe is a "bulldog", and he not only pulled the Knights through the struggles and disarray of the COVID crisis, but managed to achieve the award of Double Star Council.

As if that weren't enough, he also launched the men's group Men of Christ here at the parish and received Consecration to St. Joseph in 2021. On top of that, he taught Religious Education remotely to our parish's second AND third grade classes. A great many of our parish's 16 First Eucharist Sacrament recipients last spring were Joe's students. And let's not forget his volunteering in the prison ministry. Though he wasn't able to participate when the program suspended during COVID, he already had brought the hope of salvation to men imprisoned because of their failures, and he recruited more volunteers for the ministry.

Finally, and most importantly to Joe, he volunteered as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, and "extraordinary" is right. When Fr. Edson and Dcn. Jorge were not permitted to distribute Holy Communion during COVID, it was Joe who volunteered at every Mass. He served all four of the weekend Masses, every week during that time. The vast majority of St. Christopher parishioners received Jesus in the Eucharist from Joe at some point, whether it was in the church, at the exit as we were leaving, or even as he walked throughout the parking lot for the outdoor Masses. There is nothing more fitting, for this man loved Jesus Christ with all of his being. If you never had the blessing of hearing him "go off" about the love of Jesus, then you are in for a treat when you meet Joe in heaven.

Even with his "bulldog" spirit, Joe was a shining example of what it means to be a missionary disciple of Jesus Christ. He did not only pray, nor did he only help others. He knew prayer was essential for the strength to help others. He allowed God to work through him, and the fruits are obvious.

Joe survived and ministered for the glory of God for fifteen months longer than his doctors first gave him. We will miss Joe immensely, and we pray for deep peace and consolation for his wife Judy, and his children and grandchildren.

At the request of Judy, please send memorial contributions to St. Christopher Catholic Parish. The funds will be used to ensure that the parish will have priests available to say Holy Mass.

Celebration of Life Mass
Wednesday, January 26, 2022 (Joe’s birthday)
10:30 a.m.
St. Christopher Catholic Parish
12101 W Moore Rd
Marana, AZ 85653

Committal to be held in New York at a later date.