Joan C Ciociola was born November 4, 1942 in New Haven, Connecticut.
She was the daughter of the late Alphonse and Rose Ciociola and sister of the late Rev. Alan Ciociola.
She is survived by her brother, Rev. Michael A. Ciociola, Yuba City, CA. Also Michael’s wife, Dona, and nephew, Rev. Michael D. Ciociola of Yuba City, CA and niece, Michelle Wise of Roseville, CA.
Joan was a graduate of Wilbur Cross High School, previously employed by Yale University Accelerator Lab, and served as Secretary-Treasurer of New England Meats and Poultry.
Joan, affectionately known as Ms Joannie, founded a 501C organization called Samaritan Regional Services (SRS) and for more than 25 years ministered to the underserved inner city children of New Haven. Modeled after Pastor Bill Wilson’s Sidewalk Sunday School in Brooklyn, New York, Joan took to the streets of New Haven to carry a message of hope and purpose to children. She influenced literally thousands of children throughout the greater New Haven area and was networked well with law enforcement, the school district and local politicians. Her ministry to children provided food, nursery school, clothing, birthday and Christmas gifts/celebrations and a weekly message of hope delivered by a committed team of volunteers.
Ms Joanie was a long standing member of Church on the Rock in New Haven, and through the support of her church, outreach to other churches and private donations, she was able to accomplish her outstanding mission. Joan’s leadership and commitment to helping children will be missed.
Her life, in essence, was a prayer, a fulfillment of Jesus’ message to “love one another and I have loved you.” With her passing, she is one with the Lord who she served so well.
A memorial service is pending.
The Church of St. Ambose and my entire family is saddened by Joanies passing. She was a complicated, determined and selfless woman who stood up for the rights of the many vulnerable children and families in New Haven.
She taught us well how important it is to ‘Love One Another’. She made an everlasting impact on our lives.
We love you Joanie.
My Thought’s and Prayer’s are extended to Joan’s family I only knew her for a short time but in my Heart I knew how special she was and how her kind word’s and wisdom Touched a lot of lives including mine forever as she took my hand’s last week at her bedside and told me I was one in a million I will for ever cherish the times spent with her
As a member, and former service director for metro kids, I had the honor to grow up, and be watched over by this amazing woman. I spent nearly every Saturday for the better part of 8 years with her and the rest of the volunteers. I can say without a doubt, if it wasn’t for Ms. Joanie and her ministry, my life world have probably taken a very different and very dark path. May her soul rest easy with the lord, and may heaven celebrate when they see this beautiful, amazing, inspiring, and loving lady. To her family, my deepest and sincerest condolences. Continue the fight that Ms. Joanie fought so valiantly. I am just one of thousands of lives that have been blessed by Joannie’s dedication to God.
Miss. Joanie was a true servant of the Lord . Her compassion, determination, and love was expressed through the unselfish way she served. I was sooo blessed to have been a part of her ministry to children. I remember the many special ways that she would make someone feel important! Her life painted a portrait of devotion , that was felt by ALL who were blessed to be a part of her life. I wil miss you, Miss Joanie! I will miss the special ways you helped me to believe, that Nothing was impossible for me to achieve. Heaven has gained a new angel! Soar to new heights, gracious lady!
I too am one of the thousands of kids MS. Joanie helped and along with my kid brother Jehovanni I helped direct metro kids church on Saturdays until I got a job that restricted me from going. I thank God for this wonderful loving God fearing woman, for blessing myself and my family with her love and generosity. Caring for everyone else first she took this ministry to unbeatable nights. I love you and cherish you lovely glow of happiness and contagious smile, until we meet again MS. Joanie xoxo.
Ms Joanie was instrumental in preserving my son’s life (Henry H Green IV AKA Renegade). He was a gunshot victim and needed a small bowel transplant. She worked tirelessly to secure free train rides for nearly two years from New Haven to Washington, DC. Because of her efforts, we had more time with Henry. She was always watching out for me and my family. So grateful I was able to let her know how much of a blessing she was to my family. She’s in glory with Henry now. Love you so much Ms Joanie! I’ll see y’all soon enough because life really is a vapor…
Words can not describe how I’m feeling right now, but God told me that you’re in a better place right now. I love you and I’m so very thankful for God putting you in my life ❤️ Love your adopted daughter Lindsey ❤️🙏🏽😇
Ms. Joanie was one of the few people who often welcomed and encouraged the younger generation of New Haven, and I am absolutely grateful and proud to say that I was one of those kids. Her generosity and kindness will live on in the hearts of every single person, the families, and the community in general. She consistently sought for what was in the interest of the city, and helped to spread love and joy throughout the children that she had the pleasure of teaching. I offer my deepest condolences to her family. Words cannot express how much love this kind soul was able to provide for the community, and for that, I will forever be grateful for her.
Conflicted in this announcement, though I haven’t seen Joanie for years; I know where she is with a glorified body and many rewards…. Her heart for Church Street south , blessed not only the families there, but the many lives who helped her “ serve” outside of the comfort of their own world… she left a mark on so many , she challenged many, and but lived to give!!! She is truly one of a kind; and as i dear friend and I reminisced (“ You can’t make this stuff up!!!” Rejoicing for her!!!❤️
Although conflicted as I heard this announcement, I was privileged to know Joanie. She not only helped change the lives of many of the families in New Haven, esp Church Dt Douth, she challenged others to give of themselves outside of the comfort of their own world…leaders have grown from her example!….she was one of a kind, and as a dear friend and i reminisced ; we agreed she lived to give; and “ You can’t make this stuff up!” Rejoicing for her!
She was fearful of nothing , but loved with everything. Truly a person that gave up everything to make a better life for so many. This earth lost a warrior but heaven has gained a saint. Thankful for the impact she had on my life and for the constant love she had for me and my family.
You meant so much to us! You challenged our faith..you taught us generosity, compassion,selflessness,and always exemplified Christ. You are in the Presence of Jesus…
Joan and I grew up together. We had so many good times . I loved her family. Her Mom and Dad treated me like I was part of their family. So sorry to hear that she has passed. I know she is with the Lord.
Joanie has touched so many people. I have often thought about the times I spent being helping hands to her loving ministry, so much so that when I moved to NY, I created Helping Hands Blessing Bags. Joanie had the biggest heart and her spirit will be missed. My condolences to her family and all that were touched by her ministry – helping or receiving. Awesome soul has gained her wings! God bless!
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Joanie became a sister to me when her family enfolded us after moving from CA to New Haven in 1978. Her gutsy determination & style was at times intimidating.. but once you experienced her love and generosity, you knew her heart of compassion and grace. She braved a trail few would choose to demonstrate those very characteristics to anyone in need. I know where she is and her reunion with her Lord. family… and Don, Has to be the best reward. Many thoughts and fond Christmas memories always include Joanie.
I remember Joan very well as we grew up at Gospel Tabernacle in New Haven, Ct. along with her brothers. The Lord has prepared a special place for her in His presence. My condolences go out to her family but we will see her again in our heavenly kingdom one day. I sure remember her mom….such a loving giving family🙏🏻🙏🏻
Glad my Cousin is no longer in any pain and is now with the Lord. So glad I got to spend so much quality time with her when I was up in CT in December. Boy did we have fun talking about the old times growing up at Gospel Tabernacle and family gatherings. Many great memories.
She will be missed and we know for sure many kids she touched the lives of will never forget her because they came to know the Lord because of her Ministry and are leading productive lives because of the example she set!!!!
RIP
Fond memories of Joanie and her family as we attended Gospel Tabernacle a “lifetime” ago! She joins her Mom & Dad and gifted brother Alan who left this world too early. Condolences to her brother Michael & his family! To God be the glory … “well done thou good and faithful servant!” Till we meet again!
Remembering Mike and his family and all of the friends of Joanie. I have many fond memories of the Ciociola family back in the 1960’s at Gospel Tabernacle in New Haven. Joanie is now home with the Lord and there will be a wonderful reunion in heaven someday!
It was an honor for me to have met Joanie in 2013 and to have supported Samaritan Regional Services. Her devotion to helping families in New Haven was reminiscent of Dorothy Day and Mother Teresa. Without regard for personal security or comfort she tirelessly gave of herself and inspired others to join her mission. Her actions were borne of her devout Christian faith, and her humble expression of that faith was the closest I’ve ever witnessed to sanctity in my lifetime. She added greatly to the balance of love in the world, and we who knew her are the better for it.
I know you are happy now, with Allen, mom and Dad…. you challenged us all, in the early days of SRS. Always faithful… to the children and the mission he called you too! You will be greatly missed!
You are missed. Your smile. Your heart. Your gift of love. You are missed. It’s hard to believe we won’t see you on this side again. So glad we had the time we did. Rest in heaven sis. Love you..
I had the privilege of working with Joanie on Saturday’s for at least 8 years. What an encouraging woman, filled with the love of Christ, she was. I like many of us can tell you stories; I used to drive the big yellow truck to the hill and fair haven before we located permanently at Church on the Rock. That was a unique vehicle. Joanie was unique woman more like a sister to me, setting up on Saturday’s had many challenging days but the ministry went on and everything we did no matter how challenging went on with love. I used to refer to Joanie as the Mother Teresa of New Haven. The last year i was in New Haven we were taking her upstairs to minister in a wheelchair and now she is dancing on streets of gold, awesome. She told me several times she wanted her going home to be a celebration to Jesus; nothing but smiles and glory to God. So that’s what i am doing. She really loved her mother, father, and late brother, how she missed them. I am Italian so I can just imagine what that reunion must have been like. There had to be food. i remember holiday’s, one small stove and enough food to feed half the world. Joanne knew that sense of family and brought it to everyone she could in new haven. I could go on and on. Whenever i think about Joanie i will wave to the sky and give her a thumbs up. I will do my best to bring the love of Christ to others whenever i minister to people just like she did. Her legacy will live on in so many of us.
I will miss you Joanie. Remembering all the years of long talks, prayers and friendship. You were an inspiration and were well loved by our family and many others. I know you are very happy to be with your family and Ernie and have heard “well done thou good and faithful servant” 💙
Michael and family sorry to heard about Joan’s passing All the family is waiting for a service . Many good years she did great work with the young children .Joan is now with her family mom Rose Depalma dad Al Ciociola and brother Alan ssory again. Love cousin Marie
Tho Michael and family a great sister is gone to be with God and he family will miss talking about old times. Love cousin marie
We are saddened to hear of the loss of our beloved friend and church family member, Joanie Ciociola. We have known Joanie for over forty and her friendship, kindness and warm gentle spirit will be missed. We will forever remember Joanie’s legacy of love and generosity!
The family of Joan Ciociola is announcing a Celebration of Life for Joannie Ciociola. Location: Church on the Rock, 95 Hamilton Street, New Haven 06511. The date as planned is Thursday June 13. Time 7 PM. Joannie influenced a multitude of people, displaying the love of God, generosity and bringing hope to the discouraged.