Joseph F. Montefusco, 75, died Sunday morning, February 19, 2012 at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center after a long illness, surrounded by his family.

He was born in Brooklyn, NY on September 18, 1936 the son of Frank and Martha (Florena) Montefusco.

Joseph attended Bushwick High School and went on to serve in the Army. In May of 1965 he relocated to Claremont, NH where he started working for Joy Manufacturing as a welder for 20 years.

Joseph was a loyal member of the Knights of Columbus and the Moose Lodge, where he spent many nights calling BINGO and socializing with many Lodge friends.

Joseph was very active and always on the go. He enjoyed fishing, socializing with his retired buddies at McDonalds, going to the Charlestown Senior Center for dinners and gatherings and playing cards with his friends. But most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family. He was a great role model to his three children and everyone he came in contact with. He treated everyone he knew with kindness and was always the first to lend a helping hand. He had a big heart and great sense of humor and kept a smile on his face even in his hardest moments.

He married Phyllis Formichelli Montefusco on November 19, 1960 and she passed away on June 24, 2009.

The family includes one son, Frank Montefusco and his wife, Lorena of North Carolina; two daughters, Kathy Chartier and her husband, Donald of Newport, NH and Kara Santti and her husband, Norman of Sunapee, NH. eight grandchildren, Tara, Jake, Anthony and Loren Montefusco, Jacki and Rachel Chartier, Taylor and Alexa Santti; two great granddaughters, Jasmine and Mia; two sisters, Marie and her husband, Joseph Neri and Adeline Moraski of NY also numerous nieces and nephews.

Joseph was predeceased by parents, a brother, Mathew Montefusco and a sister, Rosemarie Silano.

Friends may call at the Stringer Funeral Home, 146 Broad Street in Claremont on Tuesday evening February 21^st from 6 to 8 PM.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday morning, February 22 at 11:30am at the Funeral Home with Rev. Stanley J. Piwowar, officiating. Interment will follow in St. Mary Cemetery.

The family suggests that donations may be made in his memory to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005.