Joe Was born and raised in Stratford. While in grade school he and his friends often bought sheet music, which at the time was very inexpensive. In the evening they would sit around learning and singing the songs. It was a great way to spend summer evenings with your friends.

Upon graduating from Harding High School he entered the U.S. Army in 1942. Spending his military service in the South Pacific, he and his unit were on their way for the invasion of Japan in 1945. Joe felt that the bombing at that time saved his and many other American lives.

After his discharge from the Army he again settled into civilian life and went to work driving a bus in the City of Bridgeport. A short while later he got married and became the father of two great children. Upon driving bus for 19 years he felt it was time for a change. He then went to work at Sikorsky Aircraft and spent the next 18 years of his life there, retiring in 1985.

 As a present from his daughter he received two tickets to the Waterbury/Derby Chapter .Having a great time and impressed with the music he answered an advertisement in the newspaper placed there by the ”Coastal Chordsmen”.  When he attended the rehearsal he was hooked on Barbershop music, so he became a member of Barbershop Harmony Society. While a member of the chorus he was privileged to join with the “Big Apple Chorus” and perform at Carnegie Hall, in New York City. This says Joe was a thrill I’ll never forget.

Being a member of the Bridgeport Chapter Coastal Chordsmen, as well as The Connecticut Yankee Chorus makes Joe a dual member in the Society. He is having the time of his life, singing the music he loves, with a group of men he enjoys just being around.