Joseph (Joe) A. Polidori Obituary (1935 - 2021)

Funeral services for Joe Polidori will be broadcast via Facebook Live on Friday, January 15, 2021 beginning at 11:00 AM MDT. To watch these services, please click on the link below. Click HERE to view Funeral Services for Joe Polidori Joseph (Joe) A. Polidori died on January 9th, 2021 due to complications of Covid-19. He was born Aug. 6, 1935 in Salt Lake City to Joseph Polidori, Sr. and Edythe Cosco. He grew up in a predominantly Italian neighborhood on the Westside. Joe learned a strong work ethic at an early age. As a youth, he worked 7 days a week washing dishes in the early morning hours at his father’s bar on 8th South and State Street. He attended Granite High School. There he played basketball, football (halfback) and on the high school tennis team and track club. Following graduation, he went to infantry training in Fort Benning, Georgia. Joe served for several years as a first lieutenant in the Army National Guard. Next, he attended the University of Utah and graduated with a degree in business administration. There he began his life-long passion as a “Ute” fan of basketball and football. Joe worked at Conley Company for over 55 years and was well-known in the business for his integrity, strong work ethic and sense of humor. Joe married Juel Smith (later divorced) and raised 3 children – Gia, Tony and Lisa in the Willow Creek area. Joe was one of the first members of Willow Creek Country Club. He enjoyed playing golf, bowling and all the social events; especially dancing. Joe loved fishing and hunting; he had a cabin close to the Great Salt Lake with a flat bottom duck boat. After many years of hunting, his efforts moved to wetlands conservation, and he served in many capacities for Ducks Unlimited. Joe was a life-long member of the Italian-American Civic League where he enjoyed the social events and keeping up with the Italian community. Joe married Irene Adondakis in 1992. They spent many years traveling, golfing, cooking, attending social events with the Greeks and Italians, and organizing family holiday get-togethers. Joe is survived by his wife Irene; sister Marie Aspenwall; children Gia Martinez (Rick), Tony Polidori (Anna) and Lisa Young (Kurt); his step-children George Adondakis (Kim), Sandy Adondakis (David Howard ) and Maryann Jacobs (CJ); grandchildren Ashley, Alexa, Aarika, Julia, Candace, Alec, Sam, Andy, Charissa, Amelia, Diona and Despina; great-grandchildren Eric, Jeremiah, Melani, Isaac, Sawyer and Luca. His cousins Pam Zupo, Santino Polidori (Karen), George Penna (Silvana), Tony Penna (Janice) and Mary Lou Penna; nephews Lance Robinson (Tina) and Brad Robinson (Sharon). He had many beloved relatives in Italy especially Edda De Santis (Valter) and extended nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 15th, 2021 at St. Anna Orthodox Church on 1300 East 9200 South. A prayer service begins at 10:45am, funeral at 11:00am and internment at Mt. Calvary Cemetery at 275 No. U Street (1252 East). Family only invited to attend funeral services. State guidelines require the wearing of masks, social distancing and limited attendance. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the Utah Food Bank or St. Anna Benevolent Fund. A celebration of his life will take place at a later date. Services will be live streamed via Facebook Live, please see the top of this obituary the day of the service for more information.