It is with sadness in our hearts that the family of Joseph (Joe) Contorno mourns his passing on October 27, 2025. Joe passed peacefully in his sleep. It is with sustaining faith that we are consoled by the belief he is in the embrace of our Lord.
Joe’s life journey was fully lived. Blessed with many decades, each one contributed to his chapters and a life bookmarked by the many friends, colleagues, and family members he knew and loved along the way.
Born August 16, 1946 to Onifrio and Catherine “Suzanne” Contorno, Joe was raised in Brooklyn, NY. As an adult he settled in Staten Island, NY and then in Chatham, NJ both places he called home albeit his heart remained in “Downtown Brooklyn” . Joe took pride in his Italian heritage and grew up in a neighborhood of gentler times gone by where he played stickball on the street and banged on cans on the street corner “making music” and singing Doo Wop. This would turn out to be Joe’s true passion in life. Joe was an altar boy as a young child and always took pride that he could still recite the Mass in Latin. He grew up in a home where both Italian and French were spoken.
An entertaining storyteller, Joe enjoyed regaling family and friends with stories, antics and achievements of bygone days. Headlining these good memories were Joe’s musical achievements. What started off as a fun hobby with his friend Frankie and eventually turning into a business, they started promoting Doo Wop shows at Radio City Music Hall and The Beacon Theatre. The goal was to keep Doo Wop music alive and succeeded for 25 years! In June of 2022, Joe, Frankie and Tony received the “Lifetime Achievement” award and was inducted into The East Coast Music Hall of Fame alongside famous performers like Tony Orlando, Dionne Warwick, Neil Sedaka and many others. It was quite the recognition and a fun time in Atlantic City with family and friends.
Joe was a talented singer. He could always be counted on to croon a tune at get togethers and sang to his children from the moment they were born. Joe enjoyed many lasting friendships throughout his musical career, many of whom he still met with regularly where they would reminisce, laugh, eat Italian food and drink red wine. In addition to his musical interests, Joe was a Brooklyn Dodger fan. He enjoyed strategizing, reading statistics and betting on “The Triple Crown” horse races. He won a lot but his bets were always small! Joe enjoyed backyard gardening of herbs and was the ultimate griller. Later years brought Joe a notable and longstanding career in finance. Joe worked with enthusiasm, vigor, and pride, always putting forth his best. He was known in professional circles, including at The Nuvo Group, his current job, as a “go-to people’s person”. He enjoyed travelling for business and attending many conferences where he attended as recently as last week.
Unquestionably, the pinnacle of joy for Joe was his children, Stefan, whom they shared a love of sports and Julia, whom they shared a love of music, along with his grandchildren Jenna and Tyler - and each one's many accomplishments of which he proudly spoke.
Additionally, Joe leaves behind a dear family: Marylou Panza, wife, Chatham, NJ, Virginia “Vinnie” Contorno Albano, sister, and husband Andrew, Staten Island, NY, Annmarie Contorno Petrucci, sister, and husband Peter, Douglassville, PA, Karen Coniglione Contorno, daughter-in-law (wife of Stefan), Estero, FL, Jane Panza Devlin, sister-in-law, Chatham, NJ, Alison Panza Tesoriero, sister-in-law and husband Phil, Chatham, NJ, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and colleagues - all who share this loss.
In addition to his late parents, Joe was predeceased by SueAnne Volpe Contorno (mother of Stefan), Al and Marie Panza (in-laws), Marie “Aunt Mimi” and Charles “Uncle Charlie” Cucchiara. Please keep prayers for all.