Joseph L. Ambrogi of Middletown and formerly of East Granby, CTonn. passed away on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2022, at Kaplan Family Residence in Newburgh. He was 83.
The son of John Ambrogi and Edith Lodge, Joseph (Joe) was born in Philadelphia, Pa., on June 27, 1939. He spent his childhood in Glenside, Pa., attending Catholic elementary school. He then attended Villanova University and received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.
Within a few years he moved to Connecticut to begin a career in Aerospace and Defense, working for Hamilton Standard, United Technologies Corporation, as an engineer. He worked on the space program, military defense systems and commercial aircraft environmental control systems.
He also attended Western New England College and received his MBA.
While working at Hamilton, Joe met the love of his life, Cheryl Chalke, who became his wife of 53 years.
He was a man of faith and family. He lived his life by serving God and building a loving family all around him. He and Cheryl raised three children together in East Granby, Conn.
He was a loving father who never missed a sporting event or piano concert and instilled the values of faith in God, hard work and family. He was an active member for 35 years of St Theresa’s and then St. Bernard’s Catholic churches, serving as a Eucharistic Minister and Lector.
Dad loved all things mechanical, especially cars. He especially enjoyed tinkering with his 1966 Corvette Stingray convertible, of which he was the original owner. He also loved golf and watching his Villanova Wildcats basketball games on TV.
Joe is survived by his loving wife Cheryl, his daughter Denise Ginley and her husband Timothy of Warwick, his son Matthew Ambrogi and his wife Miki of Rye, his son Daniel Ambrogi and his wife Shannon of Fairfield, Conn.; his adored grandchildren Felicia, Kevin, Keira, Luke and Samuel; his brother Frank Ambrogi of Myrtle Beach, S.C., as well as many sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was pre-deceased by his parents and his brother John Ambrogi.
Visitation was held Jan. 15 at Applebee McPhillips Funeral Home, 130 Highland Ave., Middletown. A Funeral Mass was held Jan. 16 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Middletown.
A private burial will take place following the mass.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to St. Anthony Community Hospital (www.give.wmchealth.org) or Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 90 Euclid Avenue, Middletown, NY, 10940.