Obituary of Joseph J. Mecca, Jr.

Joseph J. Mecca, Jr. Allegany, NY Joseph J. Mecca, Jr., of Allegany, passed away Wednesday (December 2, 2020) at his home, surrounded in the loving presence of his family. Born June 22, 1958 in Rome, he was the son of Joseph J. and Theresa Stanizzi Mecca. On August 24, 1990 in Allegany, he married Linda M. Salvucci who survives. Joseph was a 1976 graduate of Rome Free Academy and in 1980, graduated with a journalism degree from the S.I. Newhouse School Of Public Communications at Syracuse University. He began working as a reporter for the Oneida Post Dispatch and later for the Olean Times Herald. He changed careers and graduated from the NYS Police Academy in 1986. He was a New York State Trooper, having worked out of the Olean barracks for 21 years until his retirement in 2006. He and his wife loved being "on the road" and traveled often to visit their family and friends both near and far. He was an avid sports fan and treasured his annual baseball trips with is brothers – attending different parks each summer. Joe was a great fan of thoroughbred racing and went to as many tracks as he could. A highlight each year was heading to one of his favorites, Saratoga Race Track, where he could join his very close friends Mark Haskell, and John and Lori McCarthy. As a lover of knowledge, he enjoyed reading extensively and in 1998 fulfilled a dream to compete on the Jeopardy television show, succeeding as a two-day champion. He enjoyed participating in trivia nights, and especially valued playing scrabble against longtime friends Barb Seaton and Don Gleason. While at home, Joe and Linda loved and enjoyed the companionship of their dogs, rescuing and caring for seven hounds over their time together. He is survived by his loving wife Linda; his mother Theresa Mecca of Rome; six siblings Dawn (Michael) Heffron of Portsmouth, NH, Anthony (Nora) Mecca of Tijeras, NM, John Mecca, DDS, of Rome, Karen (Richard) Stapleton of Rome, Salvatore (Colleen) Mecca of Middletown and David (Joann) Mecca of Rome, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his father Joseph J. Mecca, Sr. Friends will be received on Sunday (December 13, 2020) from 1-4 pm at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, 3128 W. State Rd. Olean. Funeral services will be held Monday (December 14, 2020) beginning with a prayer service at 9 am in the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 9:30 am in St. Bonaventure Parish Church at 95 E. Main St., Allegany NY. Rev. James Vacco, OFM, pastor, will be the celebrant. Burial will follow in St. Bonaventure Cemetery. To view the service live online, log onto http://buffalomedia.net/12142020 moments before the mass begins at 9:30am. In lieu of flowers, memorials, if desired, may be made to the Chautauqua County Humane Society (2825 Strunk Rd., Jamestown NY 14701 www.chqhumane.org), the NYS Troopers PBA Signal 30 Benefit Fund (48 Howard St., Albany NY 12207 www.signal30.org) or a charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences may be expressed at oleanfuneralhome.com.