Joseph J. Testa

04/24/2001

Joseph Julius Testa, 81, of 75 Curtis Terrace died Tuesday at Berkshire Medical Center. He had been a resident at Mount Greylock Extended Care Facility for three weeks. Born in Pittsfield on Nov. 17, 1919, son of Luigi and Josephine Garborino Testa, he was a 1938 graduate of Pittsfield High. Mr. Testa served with the Allied First Airborne from 1943 to 1945, including campaigns at Ardennes, Normandy, Northern and Southern France, and Rhineland. He was awarded the European, African and Middle Eastern Service Medals and the European, African and Middle Eastern Service Medals. He also received the Presidential Distinguished Unit Badge. He was seriously injured during the Battle of the Bulge. In 1945, he started at General Electric Co., from which he retired in 1982 after 37 years of service as a testman for the Navy Ordnance Department in the quality control department. He served as shop steward and was a lifelong union supporter. An athlete, Mr. Testa played shortstop for the Royal Cleaners of the Shire City Baseball League and played baseball while serving in the European Theatre for the Army's 878th Air Engineers. He coached the East and West Little League teams for more than 15 years. He was a lifelong fan of the New York Yankees and enjoyed skiing the Thunderbolt, world history, wildlife documentaries and walks through the Morningside community. He was a member of the GE Quarter Century and Pensioners clubs. He and his wife, Rosemary, also enjoyed hosting family gatherings, New England travel, their annual trips to St. Augustine, Fla., and their grandchildren. He leaves his wife of 51 years, the former Rosemary T. McHugh, whom he married Oct. 15, 1949, in St. Charles' Church; a son, Joseph L. Testa of Dalton; a daughter, Susan L. Testa, at home; a sister, Theresa Patterson of West Springfield, and three grandchildren. Funeral services will be Friday, April 27, at 9:15 a.m. from DWYER FUNERAL HOME, with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Charles' Church, celebrated by the Rev. Peter A. Gregory, pastor. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery in Great Barrington. Calling hours will be at DWYER FUNERAL HOME today, Thursday, from 4 to 7. In lieu of flowers, the family request friends to make an offering of prayer in his memory.

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