Giuseppe "Joseph"

Lanni

Born on February 1, 1935 in Paolisi, a province of Benevento in Italy, Joseph "Joe" Lanni was husband to Carolina and a free-spirited father to his children, Yolanda and Vittorio. His love of nature was intoxicating and there wouldn't be a weekend he wasn't packing the car for a picnic in Tallman Park or Silver Mine Lake, with his partner in crime and brother, Dominick "Maestro Domenico" while the wives cooked pasta and tomato sauce on the park 's barbecues.    He loved foraging for wild mushrooms, walking in the woods with his bucket and a saber-looking knife and knew all the secret "spots".

He fished and crabbed at any opportunity and would come home with his catch of the day and Carolina would cook the fish or crabs he caught—of course, he would have to invite his family over to eat and drink (his homemade wine, of course) and the end of the meal wouldn't be complete without his homemade grappa at 140 proof.

He loved his metal detector---and dug up parks all over the tri-State area (including Central Park in the 70s).  He and his brother were interviewed in the park by ABC news showing off their treasures.

He will also be missed by his brother Dominick and his sister Tina, who told stories of the old days and his nieces and nephews who grew up with his bubbly character as well as his sister-in-law, Rosa, whom he liked to tease.

For a man who was nicknamed "the grouch on the couch," there was nothing Joseph wouldn't do for his six grandchildren, Vittorio, Carmela, Giovanni, Carolina, Bianca and Julianna. He had the privilege to meet his great-grandson, Luca, who added more love into his life.

His beautiful wife of over 60 years and his children will miss him every day but we know he's up in heaven with a glass of wine and plate of cheese smiling down at us.