Obituary of Joseph Accetta

Joseph "Shoeshine" Accetta, 85, of Bedford Hills, NY, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, December 9. Born in Mount Kisco in 1933, Joe was one of seven children. In 1953, Joe enlisted as a cook in the Army and "made thousands of potatoes" in the two years he spent at his station in Arizona. Upon completing his service in the military, Joe moved back to Mount Kisco, got married, and forged a career as a bartender and restaurant owner before retiring with the United States Postal Service as a courier. Over the years, Joe loved to tell the story of when Frank Sinatra held a movie premiere party at his restaurant, David's. The photo of Joe (far left) and Frank from that evening has hung on the wall of the Accetta home for decades, next to a photo of him and the Mrs. meeting the Pope at the Vatican in Italy. To Joe, these were equally important moments. Joe was a natural conversationalist and always quipped, "I'm in the people business." He could discuss anything with anyone --- and did. His gift for communication, and his ability to make even an opposing opinion seem lighthearted, was beloved by all. Among friends and strangers alike, Joe was authentically himself and his characteristic one-liners on life provided deep meaning in the simplest of words. He was good for a laugh whenever one was needed and he never thought the grass was greener elsewhere; he envied no one and believed there was nothing better than his home, his family, his work, and his nightly tradition of a gentleman's pipe and a crossword puzzle. Joe is predeceased by his parents and four of his six siblings. He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Joanne LoGuidice Accetta; his sons and their families Joseph Accetta of Tarpon Springs, FL and his wife, Claudia; Adam Accetta of New Fairfield, CT, his wife, Laurie, and their children Nick, Michael, and Kate; and Aaron Accetta of Waccabuc, NY, his wife, Barbara, and their children Layla and Presley; his sisters Rose Arduino of Tarrytown, NY; Marion Corsi of Mount Kisco, NY; and Annie Curley of Somers, NY; and the countless stories he's told that will live on in the hearts of all those who were lucky to have known him. A viewing will be held at Oelker-Cox & Sinatra Funeral Home, 262 East Main Street in Mount Kisco on Wednesday from 4pm to 8pm. A funeral mass will be held at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 55 Valley Road, Katonah, NY on Thursday at 11 AM. Committal Private.