Joseph Ambrosio, Sr, age 81, passed away on February 27, 2020.  He was born in Motta Santa Lucia, in the Reggio di Calabria on March 8, 1938 and baptized as Catholic.  He immigrated to the US when he was eighteen years old and lived, worked and raised his family in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area. He was later naturalized as a U.S. citizen. Eventually, Joe and his wife moved to Largo, Florida, where he has lived for decades. Joe was trained as a shoemaker in his native Italy and secured work repairing shoes at a local 5 & 10 cent shop when he first immigrated to the US. Soon he showed his entrepreneurial spirit by opening multiple shoe repair shops of his own in both downtown Pittsburgh and in the northern suburb. His skill at his craft, his tireless work ethic, and his commitment to his customers enabled his businesses to thrive. He always had an adventurous nature, starting with his courageous move to the US while young and without means. Often, during his only day of rest, Sunday, he would drive the family all day and night to take a glimpse of New York City, or Toronto, or Washington, D.C., anywhere that he could drive to and back in those 24 hours.

Joe was preceded in death by his mother and father, Saveria Gigliotti and Antonio Ambrosio, and by his nephew Frank Ambrosio, Jr.

He is survived by his wife, Gale Faye McCance, with whom he recently celebrated 60 years of marriage; his three sons, Jonathan McCance, Anthony Ambrosio and Joseph Ambrosio, Jr.; his brother Frank Ambrosio, his two sisters, Rosetta Gigliotti and Michelina Scott and his uncle, Renzo Ambrosio. Joe was blessed with many loving grandchildren: Alaina Mei, Carey Gotti, Grace Ambrosio, Jode McCance, Joseph McCance, Melissa McCance, Victoria Brumley, Elizabeth Salyers, Morgan Salyers and by many great-grandchildren: Thomas Mei, Lucia Mei, Atlas Gotti, and Melia, Giovanni, Alexander, Dayton. He also leaves behind his many treasured nieces and nephews, Gabriel Fontana, Maria Hartwick, Mario Gigliotti, Lisa Sciaretta, Carla Ulizzi and Michael Ambrosio. He will be forever missed and loved, and never forgotten.

A visitation with family will take place at Mohn Funeral Home Seminole at 9700 Seminole Boulevard, Seminole, FL 33772 from 10a to 11a on Tuesday, March 3 rd , followed immediately by a procession to an 11:30am funeral service and burial at Calvary Catholic Cemetery.