Joseph Covello, age 81 years, of Colonial Heights, VA, died peacefully on Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at his home.

Born on June 20, 1940 in Italy, son of the late Rosalino and Grazia Conigliaro Covello, Joseph emigrated to the United States in 1964, settling first in Brooklyn, NY where he would raise his own family, then spending several years in Johnstown, PA before retiring to Virginia to be close to his children and grandchildren.

Strong-willed and passionate, Joseph was an intelligent and savvy businessman who ran several restaurant business through the years, making his customers hearts happy at every turn with his wit and amazing food.

Loving fiercely, Joseph was disciplined with his children as he wanted them to appreciate and understand the hard work it took to achieve the ‘American Dream’, but always ensured they knew that anything was always within their reach if they tried their hardest. He softened this approach as he aged with his grandchildren, as their smiles simply melted his heart daily and he thoroughly enjoyed seeing the next generations thriving.

In addition to his parents, Joseph was preceded in death by a daughter, whom he missed in a way no words could describe, Graziella Covello in 1986.

Surviving are his cherished wife of fifty-nine years, with whom he joined hands in marriage on January 19, 1962 in Carini, Italy, Vittoria Mannino Covello; his children and their spouses, Rosolino and Rosalba Covello; Francesca and Paul Randazzo, Liliana and Dennis Hardy, and Jack Covello; his sisters and brother, Vincenza Mannino and Rosalina Buffa, and Frank Covello; his grandchildren, Vincenzo and Katherine, Giuseppina and Matthew, Graziella and Emile, Gabriella and Lewis, Marco, Eleanor, Isabella, and Alexia; his great grandchildren, Freya, Roman, Mila and Bria; several nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family; and many dear friends.

A gathering of family and friends will take place on Wednesday, December 29, 2021 from 10:30-11:00 a.m. in the Chapel of Somerset Hills Mausoleum, 95 Mt. Airy Road, Basking Ridge, NJ, under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

Prayer services officiated by Rev. Kenneth Brighenti will follow the gathering beginning at 11:00 a.m. and to which all are welcome. Entombment next to his cherished daughter, Grace, will follow.

You are encouraged to visit Joseph’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Joseph’s honor and memory may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, via mail to 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online by clicking HERE.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”