Josephine "Josie" Teresa (LaRosa) Giacalone

Josephine “Josie” Teresa Giacalone, 97, passed away surrounded by family on April 16, 2024,  at Bethany Home in Waupaca, Wisconsin. Josie was born on January 18, 1927, in Windsor,  Ontario, Canada, to Salvatore LaRosa and Carmela (Cerniglia) LaRosa. 

After graduating from Kennedy Collegiate High School in Windsor, and Teachers College & University in London, Ontario, Josie taught elementary education until she had her own  children. Then in later years, when her youngest were in school, she became a substitute  teacher until retiring in 1975.  

Josie married her one true love, John Giacalone, in Windsor on July 11, 1953. The couple had  five sons born in Canada before emigrating to the U.S. in 1964. They settled briefly in  Milwaukee, Wisconsin, prior to welcoming two daughters, both born in the Dairy State. 

The family moved to Amherst where, for 11 years, John and Josie operated a dairy farm. Josie  also enjoyed her huge gardens, flower beds and caring for her family and home. She operated Josie’s Farm Market for 20+ years, selling plants and produce locally. When the dairy herd was  sold and the land used for cash crop, John resumed his work as a cooper, making and repairing wine barrels, which had been his trade in Sicily. They opened The Cooper Shop and began doing  shows demonstrating the lost art of coopering. Josie always the teacher, was the public  speaker for these events, which they enjoyed for 16 years.  

Throughout their marriage, Josie and John loved to dance, and were sometimes found waltzing in their living room. They were passionate about their Catholic faith, as well, with Josie often  witnessing to it publicly.  

Josie is survived by three sons, Rich (Theresa) Giacalone of Grand Haven, MI; Vic (Vicky)  Giacalone, and Willy Giacalone, both of Waupaca; and two daughters, Michelle Lara of  Wausaukee and Linda Giacalone of Naples, FL; 20 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, with 2  more great grandchildren on the way. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband; two sons, Peter and Robert;  and her three sisters, Mary Ravanello, Lucy Glinsky, and Tessie Costa. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Waupaca on  Wed. April 24, 2024, with visitation from 9 to 10:30am, rosary at 10:30, and Mass at 11am.  Interment will be at a later date in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in the town of Lanark.  

Maple Crest Funeral Home in Waupaca is assisting the family with arrangements. A heartfelt  thank you to the staff of Bethany Home for their thoughtful and supportive care; also, to ThedaCare Hospice for their loving assistance.

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