Joseph A. Procaccino
April 21, 1921 ~ January 8, 2015
JOSEPH A. PROCACCINO (Age 93)
Of Vienna/Fairfax Virginia, passed away peacefully in the presence of his family on January 8th, 2015 following complications from a respiratory illness. He was born in 1921 in Bisaccia, Italy, and came to the United States in 1933. Joe settled with his family in the Bronx, NY, where he attended DeWitt Clinton High School. As a teenager, he was a noted vocalist who sang on local radio and clubs billed as "The Young Caruso". He graduated from the City College of New York in 1942, majoring in linguistics.
After graduation, Joe enlisted in the Army in December 1942 and was sent for intensive Japanese language training at the University of Michigan. He was commissioned as an officer and traveled to the China/Burma/India Theater of Operations. While in China, he was assigned to the US Army Observer Section, a part of the "Dixie Mission"- a small group of specialists who travelled into Yenan in 1945 as part of an effort by the United States to explore the activities of the Communist Chinese in the fight against Japanese forces. His team met with local leadership, to include Mao Tse-Tung and Chou En Lai.
During his military service, Joe entered into the Office of Strategic Services, and remained in that organization as it evolved into the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), becoming a charter member. While working, he went to law school in the evenings, earning a Juris Doctorate from Catholic University. He was a member of the District of Columbia Bar, the Supreme Court Bar, and the Federal Bar Association.
He served under every CIA Director to the present, accumulating an incredible 71 years of federal service as a military officer, Senior Intelligence Service member, and annuitant contractor. Joe received numerous awards and citations. He was a respected consultant to other intelligence services, and a mentor to innumerable colleagues over seven decades.
In his last year, he lived at The Virginian Retirement Community and enjoyed the company of his co-residents and the many colleagues, family and friends that visited.
Joe is predeceased by his beloved wife of 61 years, Charlotte, his honored parents Antonio and Costantina, and his dear brothers Mariano and Luigi. He is survived by his loving son Joseph, Jr. and daughter-in-law Margaret of Fairfax, Virginia, and his treasured granddaughters, Cristina and Carla.
A wake will be held for him at Money and King Funeral Home, 171 Maple Avenue, Vienna VA 22180 on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 from 2 4 pm and again at 6 8 pm. On Thursday, January 15, 2015, a Requiem Mass in the Extraordinary Latin Form will be held at St John the Beloved Catholic Church, 6420 Linway Terrace, McLean, Virginia 22101 at 11:30 am. He will later be taken to Ruggiero Funeral Home in Yonkers, NY, and will be laid to rest at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
Of Vienna/Fairfax Virginia, passed away peacefully in the presence of his family on January 8th, 2015 following complications from a respiratory illness. He was born in 1921 in Bisaccia, Italy, and came to the United States in 1933. Joe settled with his family in the Bronx, NY, where he attended DeWitt Clinton High School. As a teenager, he was a noted vocalist who sang on local radio and clubs billed as "The Young Caruso". He graduated from the City College of New York in 1942, majoring in linguistics.
After graduation, Joe enlisted in the Army in December 1942 and was sent for intensive Japanese language training at the University of Michigan. He was commissioned as an officer and traveled to the China/Burma/India Theater of Operations. While in China, he was assigned to the US Army Observer Section, a part of the "Dixie Mission"- a small group of specialists who travelled into Yenan in 1945 as part of an effort by the United States to explore the activities of the Communist Chinese in the fight against Japanese forces. His team met with local leadership, to include Mao Tse-Tung and Chou En Lai.
During his military service, Joe entered into the Office of Strategic Services, and remained in that organization as it evolved into the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), becoming a charter member. While working, he went to law school in the evenings, earning a Juris Doctorate from Catholic University. He was a member of the District of Columbia Bar, the Supreme Court Bar, and the Federal Bar Association.
He served under every CIA Director to the present, accumulating an incredible 71 years of federal service as a military officer, Senior Intelligence Service member, and annuitant contractor. Joe received numerous awards and citations. He was a respected consultant to other intelligence services, and a mentor to innumerable colleagues over seven decades.
In his last year, he lived at The Virginian Retirement Community and enjoyed the company of his co-residents and the many colleagues, family and friends that visited.
Joe is predeceased by his beloved wife of 61 years, Charlotte, his honored parents Antonio and Costantina, and his dear brothers Mariano and Luigi. He is survived by his loving son Joseph, Jr. and daughter-in-law Margaret of Fairfax, Virginia, and his treasured granddaughters, Cristina and Carla.
A wake will be held for him at Money and King Funeral Home, 171 Maple Avenue, Vienna VA 22180 on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 from 2 4 pm and again at 6 8 pm. On Thursday, January 15, 2015, a Requiem Mass in the Extraordinary Latin Form will be held at St John the Beloved Catholic Church, 6420 Linway Terrace, McLean, Virginia 22101 at 11:30 am. He will later be taken to Ruggiero Funeral Home in Yonkers, NY, and will be laid to rest at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
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While Nan can’t quite remember Joe (she will be 100 years old in April), I am told she did know him and was very fond of him. The Riordan family sends their condolences to Joe’s family and their deep appreciation for an incredible life of service to his country.
Our condolences to your family. I was just thinking about all of you over the weekend and happened to be looking through the Washington Post on Sunday. Clearly he was a man of great character. Hugs to each of you. Sherrie (please send me your address)
Joe was a treasure to his family, his Church and to the adopted country he loved and for whom he labored a lifetime to make her the beacon of freedom for the world. His intelligence, wit, determination and loyalty made him an icon to those whose lives he influenced. Joe will be sorely missed, but those who knew him are better for having been touched by his greatness. Jim Christy
Joe was a great resident and neighbor in our Community of homes here in Vienna. He was always friendly, cordial, and welcoming. He has been missed since his move a year or so ago, and it is sad to learn that he will not be returning to his home on our street. What a man, what a life. What a role model.Condolences to all his family. John Doolittle, Vienna VA
Joe, Margaret, Christina and Carla, my deepest condolences. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.