Joseph Samuel Rucci

Joseph Samuel Rucci passed away peacefully at AngelsGrace Hospice on Friday, October 6, 2023 at age 92. He was a lifelong Waukesha resident born on March 25, 1931 the son of Samuel and Rose (nee Pucci) Rucci. He graduated from Waukesha High School in 1949 and after graduation attended both Marquette and Notre Dame Universities. From 1952 until 1954 he proudly served his country as a United State Marine. He returned to Waukesha to work with his dad running the family business The Como Hotel and Bar. He eventually bought the business from his dad and successfully ran it until 1999 when the property was bought by Walgreens. After retirement, he was employed by Morningstar Golf Club where he began when the golf club was being built and continued to work until he was 90. Joe became known as “Mr. Morningstar”. He also worked as an employee of Wilde Automotive delivering cars.

Joe was a proud member of the American Legion, VFW and the Waukesha Elks Lodge.

Joe is survived by his loving family, his wife of 44 years, Barbara; children, Margaret (David) Velcheck, Steven (Michele) Rucci and Catherine (Ron) Nelson; grandchildren, Nicholas (Emma) De La Paz, Joshua (Libbi) De La Paz and Jack Nelson; great-granddaughter, Dona De La Paz; nephews, Timothy and Andrew Cooley and Peter, Bob, Tom and John Rucci; other family members and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Michael, his former wife Carol, sister Marion Cooley Foss; brother E. Paul Rucci and brother-in-law Arthur Heileman.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to ProHealth Home Care and AngelsGrace Hospice. Especially nurse Jodi for her support and exceptional care during this difficult time.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. until the 2:00 p.m. funeral Mass at St. Mary Catholic Church 225 S. Hartwell Ave. Waukesha, WI 53186. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Joe’s name are appreciated to the Waukesha Service Club Family Assistance Program, 1444 S. West Ave., Unit A, Waukesha, WI 53189 or the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight, Inc., PO Box 867, Menomonee Falls, WI 53052.

“Once a marine, always a marine”.