Joseph Amato

EVANSVILLE- Joseph L. Amato died Monday evening, November 4, 2013 surrounded by his family. After being diagnosed with PLS, he lived the last six years with courage, patience, good humor and dignity. Born August 20, 1949 he was the oldest son of Mary (Namio) and Larry Amato. He grew up with brothers John (Jody), Steve (Jackie) and sister Geri (Griff) Evans in the Midvale Heights neighborhood in Madison. He attended Queen of Peace School and graduated from Edgewood High School.
Joe earned a Masters degree at UW Whitewater and spent thirty-five years teaching social studies and coaching at Evansville High School. For many years he was also a dedicated co-coordinator of the Power of Positive Students (POPS) program which encourages positive attitudes and teaches strategies for making constructive life choices. Joe set high standards for his students and then encouraged and guided them to meet those standards.
He and Beth (Hartman) were married on June 6, 1972 and had the joy of forty-one years together. He was the loving father their three children Maria (Joshua) Hegemann, Evansville, Libby Amato, Milwaukee and Dominic Amato, Oshkosh and the proud grandfather of Henry Joe Hegemann. He was delighted to know his second grandchild is due to arrive in January.
Joe treasured the Italian heritage handed down from his grandparents Josie (Caravello) and John Namio and Mamie (Troia) and Joseph Amato. He took pleasure in continuing the tradition of family gatherings and was a generous host, a skilled grill-master and mixed a great martini. He also enjoyed visiting with friends on the front porch or under the shade tree in the back yard. And, you could be sure of having coffee in the morning, a cold beverage on a hot afternoon or, for a certain few (and you know who you are) a cigar in the evening.
He was solicitous of his Aunts and Uncles and maintained strong ties as they grew older, visiting often and helping in any way they needed. He also treasured the close relationship he had with many cousins.
Joe was an avid golfer. He had the thrill of hitting two holes in one on his home course and was able to fulfill his dream of working there for a time after his retirement from teaching. He was also an enthusiastic Badger basketball fan holding season tickets for many years.
Joe's example of loving family, valuing friends and guiding students is a gift of a life well-lived.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 405 S. Owen Dr., Madison, on Friday, November 15, 2013, at 11:30 a.m. with Msgr. Kenneth J. Fiedler presiding. Burial will be private. A visitation will be held at church on Friday from 10:30 a.m. until time of the mass.
We extend a heartfelt thank you to the doctors and staff at Dean Neurological Institute, our Bright Star caregivers and Agrace Hospice for their skill and kindness in caring for Joe.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Spastic Paraplegic Foundation (SPF), P.O. Box 1208, Fortson, GA 31808 or Agrace Hospice, 3001 W. Memorial Dr., Janesville, WI 53548. Cress Funeral Service is assisting the family.