On September 10, 2019, Joseph Paul Gulia (“Joe”), loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully at home at age 85. Joe went down swinging battling complications from pneumonia. At age 5, Joe had the privilege of hearing Lou Gehrig’s famous speech considering himself the luckiest man on the earth. Joe took that to heart and considered himself blessed with a loving family, successful career, many lifelong friends, and a love for sports and cars. He was a diehard NY Yankees fan, often known on radio sports talk shows as Yankee Joe. He was proud of his Italian American heritage. Joe was born in 1934 in the Bronx, NY to Lena Fassi and G. Joseph Gulia. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Cornell University. After college, he served in the United States Army. Joe then earned his Masters of Business Administration degree from New York University and became a Certified Public Accountant. His career was centered on public finance, serving as the Commissioner of Finance of Westchester County, Business Manager of the Mount Vernon Public Schools, Comptroller of the City of Yonkers, and Treasurer of the Eastchester School District. Joe was hired specifically to bring Yonkers out of bankruptcy (the first city in the country to declare bankruptcy) and successfully achieved this goal. He received many awards throughout his career but he was most proud of his induction into the Mount Vernon High School Hall of Fame in recognition of outstanding achievements by a graduate. Joe was known for his gregarious nature and could have a conversation, debate sports, or talk politics with anyone. Joe was a member of the Silver Sluggers and the Westchester Baseball Club, both devoted groups of baseball aficionados. He often held court at Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks, analyzing sports with friends. In his later years, Joe, affectionately known as Poppy, took an active role in raising his grandchildren often meeting the school bus, helping with homework and hosting Pizza Friday.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Susan’s siblings-Patricia, Danny and John, and his many uncles and aunts. He is survived by his loving wife Susan of 27 years, his children, Peter, Gregory, Carol, and Audrey, his wife’s children, Michael and Casandra, and his adored grandchildren, Eric, Andrew, Erin, Craig, Michael Jr., Bianca, Sean, Maria, Kathryn and Anneliese. Joe is also survived by his two sisters, Delores and Lenore, sisters-in-law, Nancy Tolan and Marlene Tolan, and cousins, nieces, nephews, and many close, dear friends.
The family will receive friends on Friday September 13, 2019, 4 pm to 8 pm at WESTCHESTER FUNERAL HOME, INC., 190 Main St., Eastchester, NY. Mass of Christian Burial, Saturday September 14, 2019, 10 AM at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Scarsdale. Burial to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Valhalla. In lieu of flowers, the family will appreciate donations to Pregnancy Care Center/Elinor Martin Residence for Mother and Child, New Rochelle, NY, in memory of Joseph P. Gulia, or to a charity of your choice.