Joseph Tony Palagruto, age 96, of Stafford, VA, passed peacefully on May 9, 2025, following a long illness. Born in Maida, Calabria, Italy, in 1928, he was the son of the late Domenico and Giulia (Varano) Palagruto. Joe immigrated to the U.S. in 1947 at the age of 18 where he joined his close-knit extended family in Chester, Pennsylvania, and soon began work as a tailor. Joe moved to Virginia in the 1960's where he met and married the love of his life Maria (Kuvakas). Together with Maria, they worked as tailors on Marine Corps Base Quantico for many decades, and also operated their own independent tailor shop just outside the main gate. He was a longtime member of both St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Triangle, as well as Nativity of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church in Fredericksburg. Everyone remembers the walls around Giuseppe's kitchen tables over the years. Every square inch covered in memories from his life: signed pictures from Commanders at Quantico; "thank you" photos from Presidents; and a never ending stream of cards and pictures from his much beloved family and friends. Joe had a smile for everyone. Many hours each week were spent sitting (sometimes dancing) around a table, accompanied by a glass of "ginger ale" and playing cards, where his competitive streak quickly became apparent. He took to heart the responsibility of teaching the younger generations the Italian card game Scopa, where he was never defeated and had a king's crown to prove it. Nothing meant more to Joe than spending time with family and friends. He is survived by: his children, Jeanne Fitzgerald (Gordon) of Newbury Park, CA, Julie Ann Jamgochian (Greg) of Newtown Square, PA, and Jo Ann Pieretti of Chadds Ford, PA; 8 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his dearest wife, Maria, and by his beloved siblings Ferdinando, Maria, Vincenzo, Domenico, Francesco and Alberto. Visitation: Thursday evening May 15, 2025 from 6-8:00pm at Nolan-Fidale Funeral Home, 5980 Chichester Ave., Aston, PA. and Friday morning May 16, 2025 from 10-10:45am at St. Katharine Drexel Church, 1920 Providence Ave. Chester. Funeral Mass will follow Friday morning May 16, 2025 at 11:00am at the church. Entombment: Saints Peter & Paul Cemetery, Springfield, PA.

Mass will be streamed via Zoom at the link below:

Topic: Joseph Palagruto Funeral Mass Time: May 16, 2025 11:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81479050958?pwd=17bub8NAdNrJUHdajiDEu1xVLnHBGg.1

Meeting ID: 814 7905 0958 Passcode: 892837