Joe “Pippy” Nacca of West Haven, formerly of Hamden, CT entered into eternal rest on March 8, 2012. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Edna Morici Nacca. Joe was born in West Haven on July 19, 1930, son of the late Luigi and Maria Nacca. He is survived by his only daughter Roseann Cristofano, son-in-law, Thomas Cristofano, the love of his life, his grandson, Joseph Cristofano, all of North Haven and companion Loretta Limauro of West Haven. Brother of Salvatore “Rabbit”, Vincent and Dominic Nacca, Nancy Cirasoulo, Lucy Preston and Virginia Corso. Predeceased by brothers Anthony and Pat Nacca and sisters Grace Pagano and Vera “Dorothy” D’Amato. Joe proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1948 to 1952. Upon his discharge from the army, he became a truck driver and joined Teamster’s Union #443. In 1976, he retired from Simkin Industries and became an entrepreneur. He founded Interstate Pallet Company, Southern New England’s largest wooden pallet recycling company and was know in the industry as the “Pallet King.” In 1990, he founded Recyclers Consulting Group, New England’s largest electronics recycling business. In 1994, he founded Absolute Recycling Company and Nacca Reality. After much hard work and perseverance, he retired in 2004. He was a supporter of the West Haven Community House and was a recipient of their “Person of the Year.” He was a founding member of the Knights of Columbus, Reverend Charles Kavanaugh Council #7124 and was active in Blessed Sacrament Church in Hamden. He was a generous supporter of St. Collettas and Blessed Sacrament Junior High School in Hamden. He was also a member of the Sons of Italy. Joe was a generous supporter of many local sports teams, charities, city and state politics. He donated one of the first bullet proof vests to the City of New Haven’s Police Department and made his property available to the West Haven Fire Department for training. Joe was a racehorse enthusiast, owner of Lady Edna, Poppy’s Girl, Tom’s Closing and Latin Gentleman, to name a few. His greatest passion in life was to help others. Joe touched the lives of many people. His kindness fed the hungry, sheltered the homeless and clothed the poor. His vacations took him throughout the country including Alaska and Kentucky for the Kentucky Derby. He also traveled to Italy, Spain, France, Monte Carlo, and Puerto Rico. He enjoyed his vacation homes in Hollywood, Florida and Palm Desert, California.
His funeral procession will leave the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Ave., Tuesday morning at 10:30. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated in Blessed Sacrament Church at 11:00. Interment with full military honors will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Hamden. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home Tuesday morning from 9:30 to 10:30. Memorial contributions may be made to Ronald McDonald House of Connecticut, 501 George Street, New Haven 06511.