Obituary of Joseph E. Imbriaco

Joseph E. Imbriaco, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend to many, passed away at home on February 19, 2024 in Anthem, Arizona at the age of 91. His life was one filled with love for his family and friends and a passion for the arts, touching the lives of all who knew him.

Predeceased by his wife of more than 46 years Ann Joan, his mother and father Felippa and Dominic, and his brother John, Joe is survived by his sister Elissa Breiling (Bruce), daughters Elizabeth Hjelm (Ron), Andrea O’Brien (Chris), Shelly Scheuring (Mike), and Monica Torter (Tom), brother-in-law Eugene J. Byrne, several nieces and nephews, and countless friends.  Joe’s greatest delight was being a Dad to his four girls, and Papa Joe/Grandad to his nine grandchildren and their families, whom he loved deeply: Eric & Michelle Hjelm, with great-grandson Carter; Ben Hjelm; Killian & Patty O’Brien, with great-grandson Joseph (“JP”); Conor O’Brien; Dominic Scheuring; Patrick Scheuring & Eryn Chen; Kyle Scheuring; Tara Karanik; and JD Karanik (not to mention the many friends of his daughters and grandchildren, who fondly knew him as “their” Papa Joe, too!). 

Born on August 29th, 1932 to Felippa and Dominic Imbriaco, Joe grew up in the Peterstown section of Elizabeth, New Jersey, surrounded by a large and loving extended family. He cherished his childhood memories in Elizabeth and friends from Thomas Jefferson High School before graduating with the highest honors from the University of Notre Dame in 1954. He continued his education at Harvard Law School, graduating in the class of 1957, and married the love of his life, Ann Joan Condron, shortly thereafter. They lived in Brooklyn and Elizabeth before settling in Madison in 1963, raising all of their daughters in town.  A resident of Madison for more than 50 years, Joe shared his many talents and compassion for others with the Madison Housing Authority and St. Vincent Martyr Church.  He moved to Arizona to be closer to family after the death of Ann Joan in 2003, returning to New Jersey often to see his dear friends and enjoy the Jersey Shore.  In Arizona, he discovered his love of the desert and gardening, and forged deep new friendships by participating in multiple book groups, faith positions in church, neighborhood dinners, outings to the symphony and opera, and even the occasional (but competitive) Scrabble game! 

While he would be the first to say that the legacy he and Ann Joan were most proud of were their daughters and their families, he was recognized by his clients and colleagues for his wisdom, judgment, mentorship, kindness and humility. Professionally, he practiced estate planning, wills and trust law in New York and New Jersey for more than 50 years, earning numerous professional accolades along the way, and retiring formally at age 80 from Lindabury McCormick in Summit, New Jersey - but everyone knows he kept up with many of his former clients until shortly before his death!

Besides his family, friends, and faith, Joe was an avid lover of art and classical music -- particularly opera (even Wagner!). This was an extension of his appearing on stage as an extra at the Metropolitan Opera during a high school field trip.  He particularly enjoyed an active cultural life in Phoenix where he served as a docent at the Museum of Musical Instruments and attended the symphony, ballet and opera on a regular basis.

His family would like to thank the many medical professionals who helped him maintain an active and vibrant life up until a few days before his death, as well as the caring support of the Mayo Clinic, Hospice of the Valley and Nightingale Home Services in his final days.  Their unwavering embrace and support of his wishes were deeply appreciated.

Funeral services will be held at St. Vincent Martyr Church in Madison on March 4, 2024, with visitation starting at 9:30 a.m., a funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m.,  and burial immediately thereafter at St. Vincent’s Cemetery. Livestreaming of the Mass will be available at www.svmnj.org (under Worship tab, click Livestream Mass).  

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Joe to the Kino Border Initiative www.kinoborderinitiative.org/give, the Phoenix Symphony https://www.phoenixsymphony.org/your-support/donate/  or the Desert Foothills Library www.dfla.org. If you prefer to send flowers, please have them delivered directly to St. Vincent’s Church.