Joseph “Joe” Anthony Caravella, age 82, of Kimberly, Wisconsin passed away Saturday, April 18th, 2026, surrounded by his sons Steve and Chris Caravella and his daughters-in-law Kristin and Lindsey Caravella to their voices gently singing “Amazing Grace”. Born on December 28th, 1943, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he was the son of second-generation Sicilian parents Joseph John and Rose Mary (Balistreri) Caravella. Joe married Judith “Judy” Torcivia on November 6, 1965, in Milwaukee, WI and raised sons Stephen and Christopher. They shared 48 years of marriage together until Judy’s death in 2013.

Strong work ethic, family, and Sicilian ancestry shaped Joe’s life. He grew up in ethnic neighborhoods on 30th and St. Paul with extended family nearby and 27th and Clark on Milwaukee’s east side, graduated from Messmer High School, and proudly served his country in the National Guard.

Everyone loved Joe for his sage advice, witty commentary, and generous nature. His compassion and dedication were well known to family and friends throughout his wife Judy’s cancer treatments and afterwards when he became her primary caregiver. He demonstrated this same loyalty to companion and friend Jan Kelling later in life. Joe valued his Sicilian roots and enjoyed volunteering at Festa Italiana, getting pizza at Cousin Jimmy Balistreri’s restaurant and visiting Glorioso’s for olives, Fontinella cheese and other Italian foods in Milwaukee.

Wherever Joe and Judy lived, they made it a priority to become members of a Catholic church so they could practice their faith and become a part of their new community. Joe lived his faith with a quiet heart of service. A 3rd Degree Member of the Catholic fraternal service organization Knights of Columbus Council No. 4240, Joe also volunteered with various parish financial duties and assisted as Baptism and Eucharistic Minister.

Joe built a career at J.C. Penney Corporation the old-fashioned way: through hard work and constant pursuit of new challenges. He started in the JCP auto center and eventually moved to the main store, advancing through various positions and becoming Store Manager. He retired in 2004. Through that time, Joe and Judy lived in Milwaukee, Beloit, and Madison, WI, the St. Louis, MO area, and southern IL. In retirement, he looked forward to the annual J.C. Penney Alumni Club (HCSC Foundation) gathering to reconnect with former J.C. Penney colleagues. Not one to sit still, after retirement Joe worked at H&R Block during his snowbird months in Maricopa, AZ, enjoyed golf, and volunteered with the Maricopa Police Department through their Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) program and at Froedtert Hospital in Menomonee Falls.

Sons Stephen (Kristin) Caravella and Christopher (Lindsey) Caravella and grandchildren Alexander, Olivia, David, Samuel, Betty June, and Ruby will especially miss Joe. Baseball, theater, and dance recital season were just beginning, and Joe was a faithful supporter of his grandchildren’s extracurricular activities. Both Chris’ and Steve’s family moved from California and Georgia respectively to be closer with Joe in his retirement years. We treasure our memories from those years and the ability of Joe’s grandchildren to spend time with him. The family would especially like to thank the staff and residents of Aspire Senior Living in Kimberly, WI for welcoming Joe and easing him into independent living.

Joe is survived by brother John (Sandy) Caravella of Sun Lakes, AZ and Tom (Mary) Caravella of Port Washington, WI; sisters-in-law Grace (Peter Blissit) Bottoni, Pat Bowen, Diane (Bob) Gagliano and brother-in-law Ted (Diane) Torcivia and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends and especially Jan Kelling of Menomonee Falls. Preceded in death by his sisters Jeanne Emery and Rosemary Caravella and brother Sebastian Caravella, brothers-in-law Jim Bottoni, Richard “Dick” Emery, George Hill, Robert “Budd” Hurst and Del Bowen and sisters-in-law Barbara Caravella, Mary Hurst, and Antoinette “Toni, Nina” Hill.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, May 1st at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 600 E. Kimberly Avenue, Kimberly, with visitation at the church from 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. followed by funeral services. Interment at Holy Angels Cemetery, Darboy to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the HCSC Foundation, a charitable organization of J.C. Penney Corporation (HCSC Foundation-4641 E. Ashford Ave., Orange, CA 92867, https://hcscfoundation.com) or Holy Spirit Church Ministry “Sunday Supper” program in Joe’s memory (620 E. Kimberly Ave., Kimberly, WI 54136). Funeral arrangements by Wichmann Funeral Homes, Appleton, WI. Online condolences at www.wichmannfuneralhomes.com.

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.”

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 (ESV)

“Riposa in pace”