Giuseppe "Joe" Gigliotti passed away at home on Sunday, July 14, 2024, after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. Joe was born January 29, 1940, in Simiri Crichi in Cantanzaro, Italy, the son of Ercole and Giovanna Gigliotti.
The Gigliotti family emigrated through Ellis Island in 1956 and settled in Albany, New York. In 1958, the family moved to Bradenton, FL, where Joe worked in construction most of his adult life. Joe was the founding owner and president of Gigliotti Contracting, Inc. Gigliotti Contracting built roads, golf courses and communities throughout Southwest Florida to include many portions of Lakewood Ranch.
Joe was married to Deborah Dye Gigliotti for over 20 years. They enjoyed many summers in their home in Maggie Valley, NC. Their traveling years included many trips to Joe's beloved home country of Italy as well as France, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland, England, Canada, the Caribbean islands, and Cuba.
Joe was President of the Manatee 100 Club, 2005-2006, a member of the Suncoast Utility Contractors Association (SUCA), and a member of the Manatee Social Club. He was a Board of Director of Coast Bank, a member of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce and the Gulf Coast Builders Exchange.
Joe was a current member of the Bradenton Country Club and the Laurel Ridge Country Club in Waynesville, NC and a past member of Lakewood Ranch Country Club and River Wilderness Country Club. He was a supporter of the Manatee Community Foundation and a member of St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church.
Joe was inducted into the SUCA Hall of Fame in 2001 and was honored as a Florida Sheriff's Association Lifetime Member.
Joe was very proud of the company that he built and the legacy of work he brought to the community as it developed. Once he retired, he purchased Gigliotti Grove where he spent most days still operating heavy equipment, tending to the oranges and a small herd of cows as well as using his green thumb in several gardens. Joe's amazing tomato salad and his meatballs with homemade sauce were family favorites. Joe truly lived the American dream.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Frank Gigliotti; and his daughter, Teresa Gigliotti. He is survived by his loving wife, Debbie; his daughter Maria Gigliotti (Justin Sielaff); stepdaughters Tricia Powers (Brendan), Sara Jane McKay, and Meredith Hinchey (George); and seven grandchildren, Anthony and Giovanna Gigliotti, Healey, Mac, and Penelope May, Will and Andy Hinchey plus three great grandchildren who all called him "Papa"; his brothers Nicholas Gigliotti and Pasquale Gigliotti (Rosalie) and his sister Teresa Eason (Ronnie) and many nieces and nephews.
A Visitation will be held Friday, July 19, 2024, 5-7 pm, at Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel, 604 43rd Street West, Bradenton, FL 34209.
A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 3100 26th Street West, Bradenton at 1 pm on Saturday, July 20, 2024. A private interment will take place at Manasota Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Joe Gigliotti Memorial Fund at the Manatee Community Foundation, (https://www.manateecf.org).
Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
