Joseph P. Trusso

He was a 1977 graduate of Jamestown High School. Joe went on to obtain his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Speech/Language Pathology from SUNY Fredonia. His career in this field spanned almost four decades in Jamestown Public Schools’ Special Education Department, with the majority of his tenure spentat R. R. Rogers Elementary School prior to its closing. In 1981, while studying at Fredonia, Joe met his best friend and love of his life, Donna Meyer. They wed in 1985 and were happily married for almost forty years.

Besides his wife, Joeis survived by his two sons, Joseph G. and Marc C. Trusso, both of Jamestown. Joe also leaves behind a sister, Laura Trusso, of Rochester, NY and close family friends, Jeff and Alison Burt of Jamestown.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Phillip J. (Stephanie) Trusso of Jamestown.

Joe devoted his life to his family and the service of others. He dedicated years volunteering for Special Olympics from the local to international level. He received many awards in recognition, including his selection twice as a World Games Coach. Most recently, Joe was honored by the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame with the Robert Goold Legacy Award for Outstanding Involvement with Individuals with Disabilities. He was very proud of his appointment to the western region of the New York State Parks Commission. He shared his love of the parks and enthusiasm for camping by organizing and coordinating the annual “Tired Teachers” Camping Group, which camped together for over twenty-five years, enriching the lives of over fifty families with cherished memories that will last a lifetime.

Joe held memberships at the Lakewood Rod and Gun Club, War Vets, Chautauqua Lake FishingAssociation, and Saint James Roman Catholic Church. Joe had a special talent as a handyman, spanning everything from adapting toys for children with special needs to rewiring and replumbing a house from start to finish. He will be forever missedby family and friends.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 8th in the Lind Funeral Home, with a Mass of Christian Burial the following day at 10 am at Saint James RCC, 27 Allen St, Jamestown. There will be a reception in the church hall immediately following burial in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

To honor Joe’s love of the Buffalo Bills and his gratitude for Oishei Children’s Hospital, the family requests that donations be made to The Patricia AllenFund, https://www.ochbuffalo.org/ foundation/ patricia-allen-fund/donate/ .

To share a memory or condolence, please visit www.lindfuneralhome.com.