Dr. John F. (Giovanni Gioia) Joy

John had just recently celebrated his 92nd birthday at St. Columban’s on the Lake, where he lived prior to his illness. John was born at the family home on Eagle Street, Fredonia, New York on May 31, 1931, to Frank C. and Frances Vallone Joy. He was the grandson of John and Rose Leone Joy and Joseph and Marianna Privitera Vallone.

John was raised on the family farms of both sets of grandparents, attended Fredonia Normal School, and graduated in 1949 from Fredonia High School as Valedictorian. This farm boy earned a scholarship to the Ivy League School, Dartmouth College, graduating in 1953 and then entering the United States Marine Corp where he served in the Korean War. After armistice, he was placed in the Intelligence office in Japan and was honorably discharged on December 03, 1955, as a First Lieutenant. Upon John’s discharge from the Marine Corp, he traveled the world before settling in New York City where he enrolled in the American Theater Wing’s Training School for Performers. His love for singing and dancing came from his Nana, Marianna Privitera Vallone, who would sing arias to him in Sicilian and dance with him around the house when he was a boy. She encouraged him to follow his dreams and pursue his talent.

John would eventually join the famed Prince Street Players, appearing in three television performances, based on fairy tales, one of which was Pinocchio. In a nod to his grandmother, he sang Santa Lucia in Italian in the lead role of Pinocchio. His touching performance earned him an Emmy Nomination as well as being featured on the cover of Parade Magazine. In addition to his three television appearances with the Prince Street Players, John appeared in three Broadway Shows, including How Now Dow Jones & The Fig Leaves Are Falling as well as many off-Broadway productions and road shows, among them South Pacific, Pal Joey, Carousel, Guys and Dolls, and Fiorello. John also gave a solo performance at Carnegie Hall, performed in summer stock, appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show, and What’s My Line. He was a member of the trio, The Londonaires, and he was the first male model for Brut.

In 1969, John traveled home on his beloved motorcycle to celebrate his birthday. On his return to New York City to begin rehearsals for several productions he had been cast in, one of which was to be with Zsa Zsa Gabor, John was struck by a vehicle sustaining severe injuries which altered the course of his life. John would never fully recover from the injuries he sustained as the metal rod and pins in his hip and leg became a lifetime issue for him and it would be over two years before he would be able to walk again. During this time, he returned home to Fredonia and while recuperating enrolled at the State University of Fredonia earning his master’s degree in English and eventually earning his Doctorate in Drama from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh in 1975. While at Carnegie Mellon he was also traveling back and forth teaching at Texas A&M. John left Texas A&M to accept a position at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where he spent most of his college teaching career drawing rave reviews for his productions; but, more importantly establishing lifelong connections with his students who credited him for their successes.

Eventually, John would return home to Fredonia after the death of his sister “Ro”, to help take care of his widowed Mother. He taught at Forestville High School and although he was only there for a brief time, he became so endeared to his students that they dedicated their yearbook to him. He then taught at the Acadamy of Visual and Performing Arts in Buffalo until his retirement. However, his acting and directing days were not over. He and the well-known Dr. Frank Pullano, formerly of the State University College at Fredonia’s Music Department, established P& J Productions, which put on several shows at the Fredonia Opera House, and he also established Dr. Joy’s Young Company made up of students from area high schools who performed locally as well. During his retirement, he also performed in Productions at the Irish Classical Music Theatre, Torn Space Productions, the Toy Theatre and for the Road Less Traveled Productions in Buffalo, New York. John was also an excellent chef, who would often cook for cast productions, parties he hosted and throughout his life and during school breaks he would hire on as a chef for fishing excursions in New England. After retiring from the Buffalo School system, these experiences led him back to the classroom to teach culinary classes at the Cassadaga Job Corp. in Cassadaga, New York.

To his family and those lucky enough to have a home cooked meal by him, he will be particularly remembered for his Christmas Eve Lasagna, Cuccidati (homemade Italian fig cookies), and his pies from scratch which he learned to make from his mother. Although never married and with no children of his own, UJ (Uncle John), as he was affectionally called by his family, assumed the role of family Patriarch. It was important to him that traditional family customs continue and that his family remember their Sicilian roots. One of his last wishes was that his great-great nephew, Theodore Nolan, who just turned one, be given his prized Sicilian Flag so that he would “know where he came from”.

In addition to his parents and grandparents, he was predeceased by his sister, Rosemarie Joy Nolan and her husband, John Nolan.

Left behind to cherish his memory are his nephew, Christopher (Betty) Nolan of Smithfield, Virginia; and nieces, Patricia (Alan) Muck of Silver Creek, New York, Kathleen Shapiro of Ormond Beach, Florida, and Sheila (Timothy) Stanbro of New Smyrna Beach, Florida as well as his Goddaughter Lynn (Keith) Stock of Fredonia, New York and her brother John (Denise-fiancÈ ) Kusneske of Franklin, Ohio. He is also survived by eight great nieces and nephews: Chad Lyman, Nick Lyman, Rose Shapiro, Anna Parker, John Nolan, Thomas Nolan, Justin Stanbro, Nicole Stanbro and great-great nephews Dylan Lyman, Austin Lyman, Theodore Nolan, and great-great niece, Jordyn Lyman, as well as many cousins, along with all the students whose who lives he touched and remained in contact with him throughout the course of his life.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Fantauzzi Funeral Home, 82 East Main Street, Fredonia, New York, 14063. A Celebration of Life is planned for September 30, 2023, at St. Columban’s on the Lake., with mass to be held at 9:30 AM followed by a light brunch.

John’s family would like to thank the wonderful staff at St. Columban’s for providing a Home for the Elderly filled with dignity, compassion and an emphasis on living with special thanks to Dr. Laila Denoya, who was assisting John with his memoir at the time of his death.

Donations may be made in John’s memory to: St. Columban’s on the Lake, 2546 Lake Road, Silver Creek, New York 14136.