A beloved cousin, Godfather, and friend, Joseph M. Ventresco, 92, of Johnston, passed away peacefully at Morgan Health Center on February 20th, 2025. Born in Providence on June 6th, 1932, he was a cherished son of the late Marco and Maria (DiGuistini) Ventresco and is survived by his cousins, Josephina and Antonetta DiGuistini, both of Charlestown, MA; Julianna DiGuistini and her husband Tom of Philadelphia PA; and his dear friends and Godson, Frank Jasparro and his wife Marion of Davie, Florida, & William Jasparro and his wife Donna, of Scituate. Joe was predeceased by his only brother Gabriel (Gibby) Ventresco in 2016.
Joe was a Renaissance man, a hard-working man who loved his family and had many interests. Born in Maine and raised in Johnston in a traditional Italian family, he attended Johnston Public Schools before being drafted into the US Army where he served his country honorably during the Korean War. When he returned home, he worked in the thriving Rhode Island jewelry industry for many years before retiring.
Always stylishly attired, Joe always looked neat and sharp; truly impeccable! He enjoyed fine dining and loved to eat out often with friends; however, he absolutely refused to eat chicken! He had a great sense of humor and never forgot to make time for family and friends.
As with everything he did, he took great pride in his lush, vibrant vegetable garden, the produce from which he generously shared. He was a New York Yankee’s fan and stood by his team through thick and thin. He loved classical music and especially enjoyed Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. He loved to dance and enjoyed fixing old clocks. He would go to the Antique Fair once a year in Brimfield, MA to look for clocks and other items he admired. He will be remembered most for his heart made of pure Italian gold and will be sorely missed by his family & many loved ones. May he rest in eternal peace until we meet again!
Relatives & friends are cordially invited to services for Joe on Wednesday, February 26th at 8:45 am in the Berarducci Funeral Home at 26 Grove St in Providence, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am at Our Lady of Grace Church on George Waterman Road Johnston. Burial will take place in St Ann’s Cemetery, Cranston, immediately following the Mass.
