Joseph D. Picciotti III, of Honeoye Falls, passed away November 7, 2021.
Joe was born February 16, 1962, in Rochester, NY, to parents, Joseph D. Picciotti, Jr., and Sharon Hilton.
He graduated from McQuaid High School and then attended the College of Wooster where he played football for the ‘Fighting Scots’. After graduating from the College of Wooster, Joe attended Albany Law School where he received his Juris Doctor in 1987. Joe forged many friendships during his college and law school years which remained strong throughout his life.
Joe was admitted to the New York State Bar, as well as the Massachusetts State Bar, and began his law career in New York City. In 1989, Joe returned to his hometown of Rochester and was hired at Harris Beach as an associate. He became a partner with the firm in 1996, and remained at Harris Beach until his death. Known as a fierce litigator and advocate for his clients, Joe was a hard-working, talented, dedicated, and skilled environmental attorney. He was active in the local community, serving on the board of directors for both the YMCA and Rochester Police Foundation.
Joe loved all sports, especially his beloved Cleveland Indians and New York Rangers. He made yearly treks to both Cleveland and New York City, often meeting up with friends and family, to watch his favorite teams play.
In 1999, Joe married Margaret (Curulla) and they had two daughters, Sydney and Samantha. Joe loved his daughters dearly, and was extremely proud of them. He was their biggest fan and cheerleader. Whether at Sydney’s theater performances or Samantha’s swim meets, he was always there cheering them on and clapping loudly. Joe always enjoyed family ski weekends and family vacations, especially to Cape Cod.
Joe spent his last day on earth in a way that perfectly summed up his life, with his family and his faith. He lived his life with ‘no regrets’. His infectious and booming laugh, and love for life, will surely be missed. He is survived by his beloved wife, Margaret (Curulla) and beloved daughters, Sydney Picciotti and Samantha Picciotti. He is also survived by his sister, Jeannette Maerz (Robert); nephews, Michael Maerz and Matthew Maerz; his parents, Joseph D. Picciotti, Jr., and Sharon Hilton; along with nieces, nephews, cousins and other family members.
A Mass will be held at St. Catherine of Siena Church, Mendon, NY, on Friday November 19, 2021, at 11:00 am with a Celebration of Life to follow.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in memory of Joe’s name to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or NAMI Rochester
Comments
29 responses to “Picciotti III, Joseph D.”
Miss you Joe … your kindness and generosity will be impossible to match and especially that big smile … Rest in Peace.
I was so sadden to hear about Joey’s passing. When we were kids and in school together we always told our friends we were cousins lol That’s because his dad “Uncle Joe” was one of my dads best friends. We were raised together like family, I lost touch with Joey when he went on to high school but always asked about him when I saw Uncle Joe. I heard about all of his life’s accomplishments and his family. I wish we had stayed in touch better , but I always thought about him. Joey know that your family is being wrapped in Gods loving arms at this time and I am praying for them and you. Love you Cousin ! God Speed.
So sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. I attended McQuaid with him and was two classes behind him. We were on the track and field team together and he was always kind and considerate. May he rest in peace
Joe was a great person. As a high school classmate and beyond. Always got a laugh when I would see him, doing an imitation a beloved high school math teacher and football coach. God has good counsel in heaven. My condolences to his wife and daughters.
Heard from a very dear friend from Harris Beach about Joe’s passing today. I was Joe’s secretary at Harris Beach long before their move to Pittsford. Joe was such a wonderful, kind, caring and jovial person. I am so very saddened to hear of his loss. My deepest condolences go out to his wife and daughters. Joe will be greatly missed.
Dear Joe, we send our sincere condolences and prayers for peace and comfort to you and your family. Be proud of the son you raised and the contributions he made to his community. Your good memories will always keep him close to you.
I am very sorry for your family’s loss. Please accept my sincere condolences on Joe’s passing. I have so many wonderful memories of him as a friend and teammate in high school. He was just such a genuine, decent, down-to-earth guy. May he rest in peace.
What a wonderful 4 years spent with Joe during his college years. His positive attitude provided great outcomes for our “band of brothers” at Slater and Westminster Houses. God bless your family. Thank you for sharing Joe with us.
Joe was was a wonderful man and I was honored to have know him. I pray that God will hold Joe and his family in the palm of this hand.
I’m so sorry to hear about Joe’s passing. I remember him so fondly from our time together at Wooster. My prayers and warm thoughts go to his family. May peace be with you.
As freshmen at Wooster, we were all trying to figure out who we were and what we’d be. Then, in came Joe. That compact, muscular lineman with a huge laugh and a bigger heart. Never in a bad mood. Never had a bad day. Joe could always make me smile, laugh, wrestle in the halls, or simply wink and nod on the way to class. I know that I’m a better person for having known Joe way back when. I am gutted by this news.
Joe , I am so sorry to hear of your passing. I have so many years of our talks, the laughs we shared and making my day when you no matter how busy stopped by my office at cafe 99 at Harris. The love of your family you always beamed so bright when you spoke of them. Your infectious smile and booming laugh made many know you were around the corner. Talking about recipes and just asking how was my day. I am among so many who will miss you Joe. God Bless you and your family and the many friends you have.
God only lends us people to bring more joy into our lives, then he wants them back. Too soon for Joe. He had an infectious laugh and made the day brighter for all of us who had the pleasure of knowing him.
I am very sorry to learn of Joe’s passing. We will pray for him and his family at this very difficult time.
I was deeply saddened to hear of Joe’s passing. We reconnected and rekindled our friendship several years ago. I will miss our frequent conversations and his infectious laugh! My sympathy to his family at this difficult time.
I am devastated to hear of Joe’s passing. This is a terrible loss for Harris Beach and the western NY legal community. I loved working with him. He valued people the way no one else did. He was always kind and jovial. And Joe always treated this Mexican American guy with respect, which I always appreciated. I will miss our conversations about our childhoods, family, baseball, and kids. May you Rest In Peace, Joe. You were one of a kind.
I am so sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. We locked horns professionally many times. It was always a pleasure to see Joe on a new case. He was ethical, honest and fair. We could disagree on the law and the facts but walk out of court or a negotiation and eat lunch together. There are fewer of his caliber and decency around these days. He has left an outstanding legacy and will be missed. I offer my deepest condolences and prayers for his family. God bless.
I am so sorry to hear of this sad event. I did not know Joe but knew his father. The entire McGrath family gives their condolences. We cannot be in attendance on Friday as we will be away.
I was saddened to hear of Joe’s passing. I was fortunate to have become friends with Joe from his time at Albany Law School. My thought and prayers to his family and friends at this time..
I was crushed to learn of Joe’s passing. We spent four years together as classmates and teammates at McQuaid; we were Co-Captains our senior year. Joe was one of the kindest and most sincere people I have ever met. He was a fierce competitor, and demanded excellence from us, but he was also compassionate and insightful. His impersonation of a certain math teacher and football coach is legendary. Many of us spent numerous nights piled into the Chief’s place chowing down on Smitty’s chicken watching the Rangers. Joe truly emodied the McQuaid Mantra- Men for Others. Rest easy Brother we love you! You are missed. My sincerest condolences to Chief and Joe’s family, You are all in my prayeres.
i’m shocked to learn this sad news. Joe was a “class act,” well grounded young man with an infectious smile. He would always go out of his way to say hello and engage you in conversation. My sincere condolences to the family. Rest in peace Joe.
I was shocked and saddened to hear of Joe’s passing this evening. He will always be remembered by me as a good natured classmate and fierce teammate at McQ. A living embodiment of the Ignition ideal of “Men for Others” with an immense sense of humor. My deepest condolences to you and your family. He was truly unique and, although we were enriched by our association with him we are all now poorer for his passing.
I’m so sorry to hear this. I worked with Joe for many years at Harris Beach and he was a truly wonderful man. Extremely smart, always smiling, a great lawyer and a true gentleman. My deepest condolences to his family, God bless you all and I am so sorry for your loss.
Joe was a very smart and very capable attorney, and a good man. Great personality. Sorry at his untimely passing. My sincerest condolences and prayers to his family. May he rest in peace.
“Uncle Joe” to me was someone who did everything the right way. He was a great friend, husband, father, uncle, lawyer, etc. What always stood out the most though is the extra effort and steps he was willing to take to help someone else. If you needed him, he was there.
I have the honor of having my middle name given to me after this great man and I hope to live the rest of my life in the ways he did. I will miss you Uncle Joe and will see you at the ball field in the sky again someday.
I am so sad to hear of Joe’s passing. Throughout our time together at Albany Law School Joe was just as he has been described here… warm, intelligent, funny, kind and inclusive. To catch up with him in the library, or in class or on one of our group trips to a baseball game was always a joy.. He would light up any room. To his family who he obviously so loved, I can only say, so inadequately, I am deeply sorry for your and the world’s loss.
So sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. I have fond memories of him from our high school years. May he rest in peace.
I heard of Joe’s passing today. I am deeply sorry for your loss.
I’m so sorry for your loss. 24 years ago Joe visited my brother to lift his spirits and pray with his classmate, teammate, and friend in his final days. It brings me joy and tears imagining Joe T welcoming Joe P into the eternal fraternity of Heaven. Peace be with the Picciotti family and may the perpetual light, through the mercy of God, shine upon Joe.