Joseph P. Bertocchi of Cary, NC and formerly of Holland, PA, passed away peacefully at his home on December 20, 2017 surrounded by his loving wife and family following a brief illness.  He was 76.

Joe was the loving and devoted husband of Norma E. Graziano Bertocchi for 56 years.  They were high school sweet hearts.

Born on Staten Island, NY, he graduated from New Dorp High School in 1958.  He was a son of the late Joseph and Rose Somma Bertocchi.

Joe started his career at Haskin and Sells in their printing and mail room and moved on to the Home Insurance Company where he was a Purchasing Manager.  Finally, he was the Director of Administrative Services for the Board of Education, City of New York, retiring in 1995.

Joe had many passions that he enjoyed throughout his life.  He learned to play the accordion and sing at a young age.  Music was his passion.  He formed different bands playing at weddings, dances, sweet 16s, Christenings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs and other events.  He carried his love of music and entertaining to Cary, North Carolina where he was a member of the Carolina Preserve Performing Arts. There he acted and sang in a number of plays and musicals.  He was also a member of the DooWop club, the Veteran’s Club, A Few Good Men, Calabria Club, Wine Club, Ice Cream Club, the Travel Club and a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Joe was also an avid history buff, enjoyed reading and had a great passion for woodworking.

In addition to that, Joe loved spending time with his 2 grandchildren and watching them grow up through the years.  You could always see him at their many school activities and events as well as cheering them on watching them play soccer, baseball, football and volleyball.

In addition to his wife, Joe is survived by his daughter, Norma M. Spiteri and her husband, Andy, of Holland, PA; his grandchildren, Thomas and Donna Spiteri; and his sister, Madeline Bertocchi Walsh.

Relatives and friends are invited to greet the family on Wednesday, December 27, 2017 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at the Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home, 800 Newtown-Richboro Rd. (at Holland Rd.), Richboro, 18954 and on Thursday, December 28, 2017 from 10:30 AM until his Funeral Mass 12:00 PM at St. Bede the Venerable Church, 1071 Holland Rd., Holland, PA 18966.  His interment will follow in Union Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to St. Jude’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 100 N. 20th Street, 4th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103.