Joseph P. Sorice died this past Saturday, September 15, 2012 at age 86. Sorice was known near and far for his work at Sorice Landscaping, a company he built into a very successful landscaping business in Sloatsburg. Sorice literally helped build the village. Sorice trucks can be seen working most days in neighborhoods throughout the area, trimming trees and lawns, and building beautifully executed rock retaining walls. The company is now run by his son.

There will be a Funeral Mass held Friday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joan of Arc Church in the village.

Joseph Sorice was born in Avella, Italy, in the Campania region, May 17, 1926 to Antonio and Filomena Sorice, and came to America in 1954. He married Angelina M. Nappo in 1956 and together the couple settled in Sloatsburg where many Sorice children, grandchildren and family still live.

Sorice’s extended family includes several familiar Sloatsburg names, including Abate, Vachianno and Rutella.

Joseph Sorice always seemed to have a ready smile and, with age, his thick black hair turned first wavy gray, and then, finally, snow white.

He is survived by his children: Joseph (Teresa), Richard (Sally), John (Gary), Mary Ann and George (Gayle); grandchildren: Matthew, Christopher, Isabella, Chelsea, Jason, Nicolas, Anthony and Thomas; and siblings: Josephine Caruso, Frank Sorice (Antoinette), Sam Sorice (Nina), Carmella Tondo, Anna Cantoli (Joseph), Angelina Vecchiano (Salvatore) and Rose Bassano (John). He was predeceased by siblings, Mary Abate and Pellegrino Sorice.

A slideshow of Joseph Sorice, and guestbook, is available at Wanamaker & Carlough.

Visitation will be held Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Wanamaker & Carlough Funeral Home, 177 Route 59, Suffern, NY 10901. A Funeral Mass will be held Friday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joan of Arc Church in Sloatsburg, followed by an Interment at St. Anthony’s Cemetery in Nanuet.

Photos courtesy of Wanamaker & Carlough.