Joseph V. "Sonny" Loretta, 79, a resident of the Town of East Fishkill since 1971, formerly of Brooklyn, died Monday, April 26, 2010 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie.
Born on February 3, 1931 in Brooklyn, he was the son of Vincent and Virginia Cannavaciolo Loretta. He served in the 1st Division of the US Marines Corps during the Korean War. In 1973, he retired from the United Brotherhood of Carpenters Local 1536 where he was a member for over 40 years. Sonny was a parishioner of St. Columba Church in Hopewell Junction. He was a member of the 110 Rod & Gun Club in Billings and the NRA, and was an avid outdoorsman. He also raised Short-haired Pointers.
Sonny loved his family. He is survived by his wife, Joan Smith, whom he married on February 14, 1969 in Brooklyn; his children, Joseph Loretta, Jr. of Brooklyn, Laurie Amatulli and her husband Rich of Danbury, CT and Lydia Loretta and her fiancé of Hopewell Junction; his grandchildren, Cody, Isabella, Gabriella and Ava Loretta; his sisters, Matilda Costanzo of Staten Island and Connie Guerriero and her husband Edward of Cary, NC; his sisters-in-law, Antoinette and Dolly Loretta; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, Vincent, Frank and Richard Loretta.
Calling hours will be held on Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 10:00 a.m. at St. Columba Church, 835 Route 82, Hopewell Junction. Interment will follow with military honors.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 1 Union Street, #301, Robbinsville, NJ 08691-4183.