Joseph A. Lesandrini, 88, of Crystal Falls, died Tuesday, May 1, 2007, at the Iron County Medical Care Facility, Crystal Falls.
He was born July 6, 1918, in Iron Mountain, son of the late Dominic and Erminia (Bianchetti) Lesandrini. He married Josephine Pieragastini on March 9, 1940, at Norway, Mich. She survives.
Joseph attended Iron Mountain schools and worked in the CCC Forestry Camps in Iron River between 1935 and 1940 at Camp Paint Lake and Camp Gibbs. In 1941 he worked for the Penn Mining Company, Norway Curry Mine and later transferred to the James Mine in Iron River. In 1943 he worked for the Iron Mountain Transit Lines as a bus driver. Joseph was inducted into the U.S. Army in June of 1944 with basic training at Camp Butner and Fort Bragg, North Carolina and later served in the European Theater and became stationed in France and Germany. He served in the 89th Infantry Division of the Field Artillery Unit and earned two Battle Stars. Joe received his honorable discharge in April 1946. He was a Life Member of the VFW Tufts-Rondon Post No. 2891as well as the post historian, past commander, 1962 - 1964 and 1978 -79. Joe was the former chairman of the East Side Veterans Council and caretaker for the Lake Mary Veterans Park.
After WW II Joe returned to Iron Mountain Transit Lines and lived in Kingsford Heights. He became a miner and worked for the Inland Steel Company at the New Cayia mine until it closed. He then became a foreman at the Bristol Mine and later the Sherwood Mine until his retirement in 1979. Following retirement he purchased saw filing equipment and became self-employed filing saws and sharpening equipment. Joe bartended at the V.F.W. Post for several years and also did maintenance work for Citgo gas, Crystal Falls. He was an ardent hunter, enjoyed camping, gardening, playing cards and most of all spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren following their athletic games.
Survivors include his wife, Josephine Lesandrini, Crystal Falls; three sons, Gerald Lesandrini, Iron River, Todd (Kim) Lesandrini, Hugo, Minn., Thomas (Lisa) Lesandrini, Crystal Falls; one daughter, Marcie (Richard) Niemi, Plymouth, Wis.; ten grandchildren, Scott (Micki) and Brian Niemi, David, Alicia M., Kaylee M., Kathryn J. and Joseph T. Lesandrini, Patricia and Angel Curran, and Michelle (Robert) Niemi-Prange; three great-grandchildren, Sarah, Nicholas and Samuel Niemi; two brothers, Dominic (AnnaMae) Lesandrini Jr., Iron Mountain, Donald (Carol) Lesandrini, Boston, Mass.; and two sisters, Evelyn Tousignant, Menominee, Mich., and Patricia Loper, Kingsford. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, Louis, Lawrence, Clifford, Robert, and Arthur Lesandrini, and two sisters, Celeste Spigarelli, and Adeline LaPoint.
Visitation will be Tuesday, May 8, 2007, from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at Guardian Angels Catholic Church, Crystal Falls. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, at the church. Rev. Dino Silvestrini will officiate. Burial will be in the Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, Crystal Falls. The East Side Veterans Council will accord military rites at graveside.
Friends may leave condolences online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com
The Jacobs-Plowe Funeral Home, Crystal Falls, is serving the family.