Joseph Andrew Poggione

Joseph "Joe" Poggione , 85, of Portage passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, July 23, 2019. He was born in Hancock, Michigan on April 8th, 1934, son of the late Peter and Minnie Poggione.

Joe graduated from Hancock High School in 1952 and then worked on the ore boats after high school. He was a Veteran of US Army. Early on Joe worked at White Pine Copper Company for a brief time before moving to Portage where he worked at General Motors in Kalamazoo as a Supervisor in the Power Plant until his retirement.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant son, James Joseph.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Peggy (Jenkins) Poggione, daughter Teri Poggione, of Portage, and son Joseph (April) Poggione of Lake Mary, Florida, and two grandsons, Andrew and Anthony Poggione.

He is also survived by brother, Peter Poggione, Jr of Houghton, sisters Marie Richards of Two Rivers, Wisconsin, Dolores Romano of Houghton, Celeste Gemignani of Hancock, and Loretta Poggione of Tucson, AZ; brother in law, Rudy Jenkins of Ontonagon. Joe is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to his dear friends, Bernie Kramer and Jeff Boersma, who were his coffee and cigar buddies. The stories they could tell.

While Joe was stationed with the Army in Vicenza, Italy he received a recognition from Pope John XXIII, for his services and artwork in preparing the altar for the visit of His Eminence Francis Cardinal Spellman where he offered Mass at the American Camp in Vicenza Italy.

The family wishes to send special thanks to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan, Arcadia Home Care and Great Lakes Caring for the kind and compassionate care during Joe's illness.

According to his wishes, he will be cremated and a private funeral will be held in Hancock. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan or West Michigan Cancer Center.

The Poggione family is being cared for by Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services, 622 S Burdick St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007. To view Joe's personalized web page, please visit https://www.langelands.com.