Joe Bulgarella

Joseph “Joe” Bulgarella was a man who was dedicated to both his faith and his family throughout his entire life. He was compassionate and giving, always putting the needs of his family ahead of his own. Joe was so proud of his Italian heritage, and was a strong neighborhood advocate who always tried to right the wrongs within his community. Joe was a man of great strength, strong moral convictions, and an enduring faith which sustained him as the storms of life blew his way. He was blessed to share more than 55 years of his life with his sweetheart with whom he shared an abiding love.

The year 1928 marked the end of a prosperous decade in America as jobs were plentiful and business was booming. This was a year of great significance in the home of Lorenzo and Marianna (Marsiglia) Bulgarella as they celebrated the birth of their son, Joseph Florian, on July 19th. Joseph, who was often called Joe, was born in Grand Rapids as the tenth of twelve children in his family. His parents had both emigrated from Italy prior to getting married and Joe embraced his Italian heritage throughout his entire life. Joe’s father was a factory worker while his mother was a homemaker. He was raised in the family home on Sheldon Street in “Little Italy” near their church, Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church. The Bulgarella family was deeply rooted in the Catholic faith and it was this faith that remained with Joe throughout the rest of his life. He attended local schools and graduated from South High in 1947. While a student at South High School he played basketball and after graduation he played softball for the Grand Rapids Motor Coach Company with his brother-in-law Angelo..

Life took an exciting turn for Joe when he met the young girl who would forever hold the key to his heart. Her name was Martha Paczkowski and they dating for several months. Their life together was interrupted, however, as Joe was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served during the Korean Conflict. He was a medic in the 1st Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Infantry Division, and was wounded in action. In recognition of his time in the military Joe earned a Purple Heart and two Bronze Stars.

Once he was discharged Joe returned to Grand Rapids and he and Martha were married on November 8, 1952 and the couple settled on the west side of the city. He received his license and became an insurance agent, opening his own agency, Bulgarella Insurance Agency, on Fulton Street in 1961. Joe always worked hard to support his family which grew to include their daughter Cheryl in 1959. Joe and Martha raised Cheryl in the Catholic faith as they attended Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church together. Joe was a true family man who loved his wife and daughter immensely and always put his family first. In 1976 Cheryl developed a brain tumor which forever changed the lives of their family of three. Cheryl had surgery and was tenderly cared for by her parents in their home for many of the years that followed. Joe dedicated his life to doing what he could for Cheryl which included moving her to Metropolitan Hospital when her care came to require more than he and Martha could provide. Once she was there Joe and Martha visited her every day and helped her with physical therapy, fed her, or helped in any other way they could.

Although his work and caring for his family certainly kept Joe very busy, he was forever doing what he could to make the world a better place. He served his community in a variety of ways including in his own neighborhood as a member of various associations such as the Citizens Task Force, the John Ball Park Neighborhood Association, and the Grand Rapids Zoning Board. Joe simply fought for making his neighborhood a better place not only for himself, but for his neighbors as well. He was additionally a member of the Kent County Republican Executive Committee and a longtime member of the Republican Party. Joe even ran twice for the Kent County Board of Commissioners in the 19th District although he was never elected.

There were a variety of interests that Joe also enjoyed. He loved music, especially classical, and he played the clarinet in the Grand Rapids Symphony. Joe also loved to fish and small game hunt whenever time allowed. He was a member of the Sons of Italy, the Catholic War Vets, the Michigan Association of Insurance Agents, and the American Legion too. Joe was a brilliant man who was a wealth of knowledge on a variety of subjects, particularly when it came to history. He remained dedicated to his Catholic faith and attended Mass every Sunday. Joe was a great cook of many Italian dishes including great Italian sausage, pastas, and sauces and he also made his own wine.

Throughout his later years, Joe began dealing with a few health issues. He underwent heart bypass surgery five years ago from which he recovered well. Joe recently developed glaucoma which caused his vision to become impaired. Then just two weeks ago he was taken to Metropolitan Hospital where tests revealed he had a lung tumor which had already spread to many other areas of his body. While there his wife fell and broke her hip leaving all three members of the Bulgarella family as patients at the same hospital. Further tests revealed that little could be done for Joe so both he and his wife moved to Spectrum Health Continuing Care Center where they shared a room. Martha was at Joe’s side when he drew his last breath.

Joseph Bulgarella was a man who was all about family as he was a dedicated brother, husband, and father. He greatly impacted the lives of others as he served both his country and his community with strength and compassion. Joe was a man of vast intelligence who gave much advice to many friends, neighbors, and the numerous dedicated customers of his agency. He was gifted in many areas and he shared not only these gifts, but also his compassionate spirit with the world around him each and every day. The west side of Grand Rapids will never be the same in Joe’s absence and he will be dearly missed by many.

Joseph F. Bulgarella of Grand Rapids died on Saturday morning, December 19, 2009. His family includes his wife of 57 years, Martha Bulgarella; his daughter, Cheryl Bulgarella; his sisters, Michaelena Carlson, Lena Priest, Concetta Mary DeGennaro, Catherine Cesear; his brother Anthony Bulgarella; his sisters-in-law, Carol Bulgarella and Rosaria Bulgarella, Eleanor Packard and Marie Packard; as well as several nieces, nephews and many friends. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday morning at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church. Burial in Holy Cross Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet his family on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, and at church on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until Mass begins. Rosary at 7:00 p.m. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory or photo, sign the online guestbook, or make a memorial contribution to Sacred Heart of Jesus, “Renew Our Legacy of Faith” Campaign.