Joseph Louis Ciciulla

Joseph L. Ciciulla
April 13, 1927-April 2, 2011

83, of Denver, went to join his son, Philip in Heaven on April 2, 2011. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Irene. His daughter, Karen (Joseph) Garraus. Four granddaughters: Tara Leone, Dawn (John) Brunetti, April (fiancée-Mark Weisbrod) Ciciulla, and Jennifer Leone. Three great-grandchildren: Jillian, Justin, and Ariana. Also survived by his daughter-in-law, Debbie Ciciulla. Preceded in death by his son, Philip J. Ciciulla. His parents, Joseph and Anna Ciciulla; and his sister, Constance Johnson and brother, Alfred V. Ciciulla.

Joe was born in Brooklyn, New York on April 13, 1927, to Joseph and Anna Ciciulla. He grew up in Rosedale, N.Y. He graduated from Andrew Jackson High School in 1944. Upon graduating, while he was still 17-years-old, he enlisted in the military. He served in the U.S. Navy, in the Pacific Theater on the U.S.S. Saint Paul, during WWII. After being honorably discharged in 1946, he attended John Jay College and eventually went on to the New York City Police Academy.
He met Irene Elflein in 1948 and married her in 1950, at the Redeemer Lutheran Church, in Glendale, N.Y. Joe and Irene moved into an apartment in Queens and had their first child, Philip Joseph Ciciulla. Joe graduated from the Police Academy in June 1956. Their second child, Karen Jean Ciciulla (Garraus), was born during the same month. In October of 1960, Joe and Irene moved into their first home, in Levittown, N.Y.
Joe served on the vice squad of the NYPD for years, and eventually, made first grade detective on the NYPD Narcotics Bureau. When Joe retired, he served in many security positions, never leaving his law enforcement roots far behind. Joe and Irene would eventually move to Colorado, to be near their daughter, Karen, after the passing of their son, Philip Ciciulla, on April 17, 1991.
Joe owned two horses for over ten years and their company and his care and love of them filled many of his days in Erie, Colorado. Joe enjoyed hunting, fishing, shooting , flying small planes, woodworking, scuba diving and boating and generally most outdoor and sportsman activities.
Joe was always able to pass along many of his life-long skills to his children, grandchildren, and friends; while he might have had his own brand and style of teaching, you always learned something valuable from him. Joe was opinionated in many ways, but he always had something to offer to the conversation, not to mention the most entertaining, and downright bizarre stories about his days on the police force and times in the Navy. He will be greatly missed by all, he was truly one of a kind--may he find peace in the arms of Jesus.
Donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association-Colorado Chapter at: http://alz.org/co/in_my_community_donate.asp, in Joe's memory.