Joseph "Joe" Venutolo

Joseph "Joe" Venutolo, 58, of La Grande, died May 12 in a traffic accident near Bend. A memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Island City LDS Church on McAlister Road and Cove Avenue.

Joe was born Sept. 3, 1951, to Agnes (Socha) Vaughn and Frank Venutolo in Jersey City, N.J. He was raised by his mother and stepfather, Arthur G. Vaughn. Joe attended grade school in Jersey City. His step-father was in the military, and they were stationed in Taiwan and Texas, moving to La Grande upon his deployment to Vietnam. Joe graduated from La Grande High in 1970 and joined the Navy and returned to La Grande upon his honorable discharge in 1974.

He married Cheryl Livingston March 24, 1984. They have two sons, Jesse Hale and Alex Venutolo.

Joe has worked the last 22 years driving fuel delivery trucks and commercial fuel tanker trucks. He was an avid bowler, enjoyed hunting and fishing and played softball in his younger years. Those who knew Joe say he enjoyed life. They say they will always remember his smile and his happy-go-lucky and friendly personality. Those who knew Joe said all the kids loved Uncle Joe.

He is survived by his wife, Cheryl; sons, Jesse of Eugene and Alex of La Grande; one grandson; mother, Agnes Vaughn of Umatilla; mothers-in-law, Lois Robbins of Amity and Elaine Livingston of La Grande; brother, Ken and his wife, Sue, of La Grande; brothers-in-law, Ray and his wife, Dee, of Wickenburg, Ariz., and Paul Berkey of Portland; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, stepfather and sister-in-law.

Memorial contributions may be made to Bank of America in Joe's name at 1503 Washington Ave., La Grande 97850.

.