Joseph A. Giambrone was a kind man who spent his life making the world a little bit more beautiful. As a veteran of the Korean War and the US Army Band, he saw the absolute worst but also the best humanity had to offer. He traveled throughout Europe playing music to bring joy to others. He built and tended a luscious garden with fruits and vegetables, which he lovingly gave away. He built toys for children, gave books away to kids, and shared a meal, drink, or cigar with anyone who needed a friend. With his late wife, Lorraine, they made grape jelly each season with grapes from their garden, a grape vine originally from Italy he would proudly remind us of as he gave the jelly away to friends, family, neighbors, and any one else who stopped by his garage to chat. With his wife, he built a loving home and an adoring family filled with children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He lived a long fulfilling life, and, in doing so, he made the world a little bit more beautiful.

Joseph A. Giambrone, passed away October 27, 2025 at age 94; beloved husband of the late Lorraine Giambrone, nee Casale; loving father of Jack Giambrone and Susan (the late Tim) Flanagan; cherished grandfather of Theresa Flanagan (Matt Monahan), Timothy (Christiane) Flanagan and Michael (Lara) Flanagan;  great-grandfather of Timothy Flanagan, Francesca Monahan, Alexander Monahan, Ella Flanagan, Ellie Flanagan, and Anthony Flanagan; son of late Giacomo and Josephine Giambrone, nee Zangara; dear brother of the late Dorothy (Mike) Esposito, Phyllis (Larry) Canale and Nino (Rita) Giambrone.  Visitation Wednesday, October 29, 2025 from 4 to 9 p.m. Funeral Prayers, Thursday, October 30, 2025,  9:15 a.m. from The Elms Funeral Home, 7600 W. Grand Ave. (turn north at 76th Ave.), Elmwood Park to St. Celestine Church, Mass 10:00 a.m. Entombment St. Joseph Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Joseph's name to the Veteran Administration would be appreciated. For information 708-453-1234 or www.elmsfh.com

Eulogy
When I think of Papa, I am reminded of a quote from Fahrenheit 451. It reads: "Everyone must leave something behind when he dies… A child or a book or a painting or a house or a wall built or a pair of shoes made. Or a garden planted. Something your hand touched some way so your soul has somewhere to go when you die, and when people look at that tree or that flower you planted, you're there.  It doesn't matter what you do… so long as you change something from the way it was before you touched it into something that's like you after you take your hands away."

And Papa left so much of himself in this world: the garden he lovingly tended, music he joyfully played, toys he carefully built, art he thoughtfully created or added to make it "more perfect." Even in the tool and dye factory where he worked for decades, he made so many things and left so much of himself with each of us.

He taught each of us something and left a little of himself with all of us.  We are all changed for having known him. Having been loved by him. So when you watch that old western he shared with you or look at the craft he made for your special day or remember the advice he gave during one of his talks in the garage, he is still with us.  We miss him deeply, but he is still with us.