Joseph Anthony Lidestri, 99, a World War II veteran and lifelong resident of the Geneva and Border City area, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
Joe was born on St. Joseph's Day, March 19, 1927, in Geneva, NY, to the late James and Rose (Gigliotti) Lidestri. He deeply cherished his Italian heritage, a pride rooted in his father James's journey from Sicily in 1912.
He attended Border City Elementary School and Geneva High School, where he was a standout baseball player, pitching a no hitter and hitting a home run in the same game. He later went on to play semi-professional baseball.
Following high school, Joe proudly served his country in World War II, stationed with the U.S. Army Signal Corps in Italy from 1945 to 1947.
Joe had a 40-year career at the Seneca Army Depot in Romulus, NY, working there from 1953 until his retirement in 1993. Joe also volunteered with the Border City Fire Department for 65 years and was honored as Fireman of the Year in 1972.
A sports enthusiast, Joe followed the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, Syracuse University athletics, football, and Formula 1 racing. He also enjoyed playing cards, bowling, and tending to his garden, where he grew beautiful zinnias. Joe took a great deal of pride in living with a small environmental footprint, conscientiously composting and conserving energy. Above all, Joe was deeply devoted to his family, who remained the center of his life.
He is survived by his twin sisters, Rose Marie Thorne and Genevieve Swiader; his sister-in-law, Barbara Lidestri; his many nieces and nephews; the mother of his children, Mary (Murtari) Lidestri; his son, James Lidestri; and his daughters, Cheryl (William) Kwiek and Amy Lidestri. He also leaves behind eight grandchildren: Nicholas (Caitlin) Lidestri, William Kwiek III, Christina Kwiek (Paul Chew), Jennifer Heltz, George Heltz, Allison Heltz, and twins Christopher Heltz and Anna Heltz, as well as two great-grandchildren, Sawyer James Lidestri and Emery Sage Lidestri.
Remembering others from the community
Joe was predeceased by his parents, James and Rose Lidestri; his brother, Anthony Lidestri; his sister, Anna Lidestri, who died in early childhood; and his brothers-in-law, Paul Thorne and John Swiader.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday, November 5, 2026, from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at the Palmisano-Mull Funeral Home, 28 Genesee Street, Geneva, New York.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place Friday, November 6, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Francis De Sales Church, 130 Exchange Street, Geneva, New York.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Arthritis Foundation or the American Cancer Society.
Online condolences for the family may be expressed at www.palmfh.com
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