Joseph Russell Audino's Obituary
Joe was born in 1924 to Russell and Jennie Audino in Buffalo, New York. He died on December 11, 2024. He is survived by his children Linda, Russell (his wife Lynn), and Nancy Audino as well as grandchildren Jeremy Audino, Stephanie Steinmetz and David Audino and seven great grandchildren. His wife, Elaine, preceded him in death after being married 67 years.
Joe graduated from Annunciation High School in 1942. He received a BA degree in Biology and Chemistry from the University of Buffalo in 1948, and an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1961.
He served as an officer in the U.S. Merchant Marine during World War II, and participated in the D Day invasion at Omaha and Utah beaches in Normandy. Joe was commissioned in the United States Navy in 1949 and rose to the rank of Captain. He served in the Korean War on the USS Bataan CVL 20, an aircraft carrier, and the USS Chauncey DD 667, a destroyer. He also directly supported the war in Vietnam and was deployed in the Caribbean during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Joe's specialties were mobile logistic support, underway replenishment, and procurement. His last assignment was as Director of Procurement at the Ships Parts Control Center in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. He earned several commendations. Noteworthy among them were the Presidential award of the Legion of Merit and Joint Service Commendation Medal from the Department of Defense.
Joe was an avid boater with other hobbies including golf, bridge, cooking and baking. He was a member of the Sons of Italy and local VFW. He loved literature and poetry and wrote when the urge was overwhelming. Joe was laughingly considered the Poet Laureate of his high school. Throughout his life he was inclined to quietly express his feelings in poetry to those he loved and of those he satirized. Joe was a warm and thoughtful person with a sense of humor. He was a loving husband, father, and a friend that could be counted on. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Memorial services to be scheduled at a later date.
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