Joseph James Bifano
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Joseph James Bifano moved peacefully in his sleep from his earthly home in Jacksonville, Florida, to heaven on April 13, 2022. He would have been 99 years old this upcoming September.
His dear, loving wife of almost 72 years, Joan Rose Schnorr Bifano, otherwise known as Joni, survives him.
The name Joseph means 'He shall add,' and Joseph truly fulfilled the meaning of his name by adding many to God's kingdom on this earth. Of those he added who survive him are his children: Joseph Bifano of Jacksonville, Florida; Jim Bifano of Appleton, Wisconsin and his wife Shukwai Bifano and grandchildren Sarah Stroy (Matt Stroy), Lisa Bifano, Nicholas Bifano (Jazzmin Genske) and Simon Bifano; Mary Bifano Dekker of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and husband Dave Dekker and grandchildren Trenton Dekker (Denise Dekker), Davey Joe Dekker, and April Leffingwell (Jason Leffingwell); Chrissy Bifano Larson Leonhardt of Melrose, Florida, and husband Larry Leonhardt and grandchildren Jeremy Larson, James Larson (Angela Larson), Joanna Jones (Forrest Jones), Garrett Larson (Alondra Larson), and Lily Larson; Cathi Bifano Wilcox and husband Milt Wilcox of Jacksonville, Florida; CeCe Bifano Cummings and husband Spencer Cummings of Jacksonville, Florida and grandchildren Carter Cummings, Reese Cummings, and Audrey Cummings. Joseph was also proud of his 14 great-grandchildren and his nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Luigi Bifano and Angelina Soporito Bifano, one brother and five sisters, Mary, Lena, Rose, Millie, Peter (Biff), and Jenny, otherwise known as the Magnifico Seven.
Joseph's family moved from Calabria, Italy, and immigrated to the United States before little Joey was born. While the family was still finding a place to call home, Joseph James was born in Decatur, Illinois, on September 21, 1923. His family moved to Sheboygan, Wisconsin, where Joe spent most of his childhood. He was the 'baby' of the family, especially with so many doting sisters who took the opportunity to spoil their youngest brother. Joe was always neat and tidy, obeying all the rules... well, almost all of them. With the urge to play drums at a young age, he couldn't resist using the candlesticks that were on the dining room table for drumsticks. His mother Angelina finally figured out why they were always broken, so Joe's father Luigi hand-carved Joe's first set of sticks. By age 8, he was hired to play between shows at the local Warner Brothers Theater and other small playing jobs. This catapulted Joe's drumming career, and from an early age, he was hired as a professional drummer. Many saw his gift, which opened the doors for a lifelong musical career.
Joseph enlisted in 1942 with the US Naval Air Force during WWII and was chosen for his height to be trained as a belly gunner, going through numerous types of training. But when the Navy experienced his drum talent and band leadership, he was immediately recruited to lead the Navy Band for the First Officers Club in the Panama Canal Zone. Because Malaria was prevalent, a typical tour in the Panama Canal Zone was limited to 18 months. But the Navy thought Joe's abilities were invaluable so a written request was made on his behalf to extend his tour of duty. Joe always had plenty of exciting stories to tell from those days, and he was very proud to serve his country. The Navy honorably discharged him after WWII in 1945.
Upon returning from the war, Joe held various day jobs, including sales clerk at JC Penney Co. and filling candy machines at the Kohler Company for Daley Vending Machines. He played drums regularly around town, and it was during that time he met Joan Rose Schnorr of Kohler, Wisconsin. After a whirlwind relationship, the couple tied the knot on October 14, 1950. They had six children and moved many times throughout the Sheboygan area.
Joe continued filling candy machines by day and playing drums on the weekends. Following that job, he went to work for the local tannery, Armor Leather, in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Eventually, Joe was employed at Richardson Lumber Company in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, where he became their top salesman until he retired, all the while leading a band wherever he was. Joni had always been a vocalist, but her singing talent took a back seat while raising her children. Joe added her talent to the group, and together they topped the charts. Joe may have been the leader, but Joni B was the star vocalist! Joe and Joni were well known in the area, playing on the weekends for weddings, parties, Bar Mitzvahs, nightclubs, and television performances. The album 'Joe and Joni Live' was recorded, along with headlining at Riverdale Country Club in Sheboygan, Wisconsin for 17 years. The pinnacle of their career was moving to Honolulu, Hawaii, where Joe and Joni could pursue full-time music, taking Honolulu by storm.
Hawaii is in the Hawaii-Aleutian time zone, six hours behind Eastern Standard. The 700 Club was airing at just about the same time Joe and Joni were waking up. After a night of entertaining, the 700 Club was the only show airing national news. Once the news report was over, Joe usually turned the program off. But one day, he decided to leave the show run. It was then both Joe and Joni knelt in front of a TV screen and asked Jesus in their hearts, changing their perspective of what was truly important. Missing those so far away, Joe moved the family back to the mainland, landing in Ft. Myers, Florida, where he and Joni began using their musical talents, serving the Lord on worship teams. They also used a food truck called the Happy Wagon to reach out to those around them.
With each move came a new city and a new house, or home that needed renovating. Yes, this Joseph was also a carpenter. Jesus renovated Joe's heart, and Joe's deepest desire was that you know the power of this Jesus too.
Joe went by many names: Joseph, Joey, Joe, Dad, Papa, Brother, Uncle Joey, and Joe Banana. He especially LOVED his Joni, and they were well known for matching their clothes. Joe couldn't get enough of the Italian family sauce, watermelon, and just a little piece of chocolate fudge after a meal. He loved entertaining and enjoyed doing pantomimes. Joe took singing 'Happy Birthday' very seriously and especially loved listening to loud Jazz! He knew what to do with babies, playing with them and putting them to sleep. Joe was a dreamer, always looking to the future with vision. He dreamed of projects for you and for himself.
He was welcoming, friendly, had a positive attitude, was very engaging, interested, and a good listener, remembering facts from the last time you spoke. He was non-judgmental and always treated everyone the same. He enjoyed helping people, fixing things, and always doing the right thing. One thing we can all agree on... he had a smile that wouldn't quit.
When asked what the key to his longevity was, Joe would always answer, "The key is Jesus. He is the answer to a good long life." And a good L-O-N-G life Joseph James Bifano lived!