Joseph M. Restivo, 52, Played On Harvard University Ivy League Championship Team

Mr. Restivo was born at the former Saint Joseph Hospital in Lorain on April 21, 1953 attended by the late Doctor William B. Kishman. He attended Saint Anthony of Padua Parochial School; during that time he was active as a Cub Scout with the Firelands Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He worked as a carrier for the Lorain Journal, as an usher at the Ohio Theater, and as a stock-boy for the Fisher-Fazio-Costa grocery stores.

He went on to attend Lorain High School and was an honors graduate there as a member of the Class of 1971. He was a standout athlete receiving four varsity letters in football and two varsity letters in basketball. He received numerous athletic honors during his scholastic playing career including being the only Cleveland area student athlete to be named to the United Press International’s All-Ohio Triple A First Team in 1971. He was also named to the First Team of the Plain Dealer’s Dream Team and received recognition as the Lorain AMVETS Most Valuable Player. He was named to the All Buckeye Conference First Team and was acknowledged multiple times as both an offensive and defensive most valuable player during his tenure at Lorain High. He was also first runner-up for the Golden Helmet Award.

Following graduation, he went on to join his brother, Peter, at Harvard University. He played football there for four years and was a three-time varsity letter recipient. He was a member of the 1974-1975 Harvard team that won the Ivy League championship by defeating previously unbeaten Yale University. Joe’s defensive play was regarded as an integral part of that victory.

Following graduation from Harvard he received his Law Degree from the Cleveland John Marshall School of Law. His private practice was primarily focused on asset protection law where he was regarded as an expert in the field. Mr. Restivo was also well-known for his willingness to handle pro-bono legal work.

He was a parishioner of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Conroe, Texas and was a former parishioner of Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Lorain. He was a member of the Harvard Varsity Club as well as a member in good standing of both the American Bar Association and the Texas Bar Association; deteriorating health, however, precluded him from being able to practice law in the last several years of his life.

His hobbies included astronomy and the study of philosophy and religion. He was a physical fitness enthusiast and was particularly fond of winning the touch football league championship as a member of the team sponsored by Rosie’s Pizza Palace of Lorain. He was a true Lorainite until the end.

Joseph is survived by his wife of twenty-five years Karen (nee Lucas), by daughters Angela and Catherine Ann both of Conroe, mother Catherine (nee Crile) Restivo of Lorain, sister Grace Daddario of Spring, Texas, brothers Peter Restivo, Jr. of Avon and Michael of Orlando, Florida, nieces Summer Ann Restivo and Madelynn Hageman, along with nephews Peter William Restivo, Michael Sebastian Restivo, and Peter Francis Daddario. He was preceded in death by his father Peter Restivo, Sr. in February of 2000.

Visitation will be Tuesday, December 27, 2005, from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel – 3224 Broadway Avenue – Lorain. Funeral services will be Wednesday beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral chapel and will be followed by the celebration of funeral mass at 10:00 a.m. in Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church – 1305 East Erie Avenue – Lorain. Immediately following the celebration of the funeral mass a gathering of fellowship will be observed at the Red Tail Golf Club – 4400 Nagel Road in Avon. Interment will be take place on Thursday in the family burial plot at Saint Anthony Cemetery in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

Please make donations to: The charity of the donor's choice.