Joseph Norella
March 2, 2023

Joseph Norella, 83, Whites Crossing, died at home on Thursday.

Born in Carbondale, he was the son of the late Louis and Helen Costantino Norella. Contracting polio as an infant, he wore a leg brace for his entire life but never considered himself disabled. Whether gardening, bowling, taking flying lessons, cutting grass or working, he was up for it.

Never married, he loved his nieces and nephews as if they were his own children and they loved him. One of his many great traits was his willingness to help out without hesitation or condition. If someone asked, he was always ready to jump in. He was meticulous in everything that he did whether it was his photography, his scratch building model airplanes or buildings for his model railroad, or installing wiring and placing ceramic tile in the many homes that he proudly built alongside his two brothers. He was a detail guy and imparted that same need for precision and attention to detail to his nieces and nephews.

Later in life he did slow down. But he still enjoyed his drives in the countryside, his daily donut and coffee run, watching his news station and the afternoon cowboy shows and spending time with loved ones.

Survivors include: a brother, Louis Norella Jr. and his wife, Isabelle, Whites Crossing; a sister-in-law, Helen Norella, Whites Crossing; nieces, nephews; great nieces and nephews; great-great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Anthony Norella and Michael Norella.

The funeral will be Tuesday from Lawrence A. Gabriel Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., 74 N. Main St., Carbondale with Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Carbondale. Interment, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Carbondale.

The family will receive family and friends on Monday from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be sent to the funeral home website.