Joseph Nicholas Schettino

Lieutenant, U.S. Navy

Joseph Nicholas Schettino was born in East Orange, NJ, on 22 June 1926, to Rose and Peter Schettino. He was the oldest of four children, big brother and guardian to his three little sisters, June, Nita and Nicky. He attended Clifford Scott High School, graduating at 16 years of age with honors. He then received his appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy where he graduated in the Class of 1950.

Joe then went to Naval Flight School in Pensacola, FL, and became a Naval Aviator and Squadron leader. He was stationed in Morocco, Africa, where he met the love of his life, Marjorie "Chuckie" Coxon. They dated two weeks and he proposed. They were married in East Orange, NJ, in 1953. He then returned to the Naval Academy and taught Electrical Engineering for four years and later attended the U.S. Navy Post Graduate School in Monterey, CA. He was then sent to Key West, FL, during the "Bay of Pigs" Cuban Conflict.

After leaving the Navy, Joe then attended The American School of Foreign Trade, also known as Thunderbird in Glendale, AZ. He graduated with another degree in Foreign Trade and Spanish and was Valedictorian of his Class. He became the Sales Director for all of Europe for Motorola International for several years before deciding to live a simpler life. He and Chuckie bought a hardware business in Buckeye, AZ. He owned and operated this business for over 35 years.

While a resident of Buckeye, he served as a city councilman for 10 years before being elected as Mayor of Buckeye for 12 years. A very respected and honored citizen and leader, he was instrumental in the planning and growth of this community.

In 2002, Joe retired and he and Chuckie decided to move to Tucson, AZ, to be closer to their grandchildren and family. In 2005, he lost his beloved son, Peter A. Schettino. For his last few years, Joe led a happy life with his sweetheart "Chuckie" by his side.

Joseph Nicholas Schettino, 81, died on Friday, 21 December 2007.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Marjorie Coxon Schettino, his daughter Charis Schettino Ober, and two beautiful grandchildren, Jillian Rose Ober and his namesake, Richard "Joseph Nicholas" Ober.

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