Joseph Robert Scalzi 5/25/1931 - 11/19/2019

An incredibly Special Man has left this earth, no shoes can fill this void. The patriarch, father, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather, loving husband and special friend to many. Joseph Robert Scalzi passed peacefully in his home on Nov. 19, 2019. Joe was surrounded by his wife and all his children. He was preceded in death by parents Dominico and Irene Scalzi, sister and brother in-law Evelyn and Mel Beverly, brother and sister in-law Donald and Janetta Scalzi, sister and brother in-law Lucille and Joe Whalen, niece Melinda Estey, nephew Berry Estey, and on the same day of his passing, his nephew David Scalzi. He was survived by his wife Marilyn Scalzi, daughter and son in-law Cindy and Wes Wild, son and daughter in-law Tom and Geri Scalzi , daughter and son in-law Sheryl and Steve Calfee, daughter Jennifer Scalzi, and son Doug Scalzi . His grandchildren Aimee and Dustin Wild, Christine, Sarah, Jacob, Nick and Rachel Scalzi, Brian and Rob Barrie, and Christopher Jensen, Cherrie and Dominic Scalzi, beloved nieces Kathy, Debbie, and Rayonna, 21 great-grandchildren and many, many cherished friends. Joe Scalzi was born in Placerville, May 25, 1931 to Dominico and Irene Scalzi. As a child, one of Joe's special jobs was to take a hot meal to his father, the original owner of the Hangmen's Tree Bar and Café in Placerville, we all know the place, the dummy hangs to this day from the second story of this Placerville landmark. He always told of his mother's cooking, steaming hot and slopping on his hands as he walked to the bar to feed his father. He loved to hang out at the bar with his father and clean out the spittoon trough the next day as the patrons would generally drop some loose change as they partook in libations the night before. Joe attended El Dorado High School. He was one of kind, a rebel, Hot Rod enthusiast who kept the local law enforcement on their toes. The true story of American Graffiti lived out. With his cigarettes rolled in his white tee-shirt sleeve, his leather jacket and jeans, he'd set off into town in his 32-ford coop with his friends and cruise for girls waiting under the Bell Tower Fountain on Main Street, Placerville. After his fun times in Placerville as a teen, Joe decided to join the Navy as a Seabee, where he spent the next four years, fighting in the trenches (so he told his children). In all reality, he was stationed in Hawaii and continued his rebel ways, working as a heavy equipment operator and MP. He liked to tell stories of being an MP and walking the beat with his 45 cal. Colt strapped to his side, allowing the local drinking military personnel to fight it out. Why break it up, they'll get tired eventually! He said. He spent his days on leave cruising his convertible around the island with his Navy buddies, once even trading his car in for one with a full tank of gas, just to get back to the base. He then somehow landed on Midway Island, I heard he may have gotten into a little trouble. He spent the last two years on Midway, bored as can be but working hard as an aircraft fireman and equipment operator. After returning home, he met his wife Marilyn, and from there built a life with her, living in Sacramento, Placerville, Rancho Cordova and eventually moving to Folsom in 1964, where he remained in the same house where he raised his five kids until he passed. Joe worked hard to provide for his family, starting in the early 60s with Aerojet in Folsom. He worked in the solids department for nearly 13 years, and worked on such projects as Apollo, and the Polaris Space Program as a production coordinator. Aerojet eventually downsized and laid off most workers, and he moved on and did whatever he could to keep a roof over the family's head and food on the table. He ran a gas station, drove truck and eventually became a fencing contractor, working hard hours and many times after dark. He would leave in the morning working rain or shine with cardboard cut outs for the holes in his shoes, at least three changes of clothes and lunch. Although he worked late mostly during those times, his favorite time was coming home to his kids as they would be patiently waiting to give him hugs and get that special treat he'd saved for them when he got home. He built his business in Folsom, from there, he worked alongside his sons, and son-in-law most of the time. He eventually met Dante Lembi, and purchased five acres on Reading Street, in Folsom from Dante, rock piles in those days. He started a towing business (Folsom Towing) and from that created Folsom RV Storage. He was popular with the local law enforcement back then, with his ample supply of beer and cozy beer garden get away for after work. Joe worked hard up until the age of 84, where a broken neck slowed his ability and desire to work as he always had. Even then, he tried his best to do what he could until his body could do no more. No matter what came his way, we could always count on his great crooked smile and amazing sense of humor, all the way until his last day. As he would always say, "Nice Seeing Me" Yes dad, it was always nice seeing you! Until we meet again, you will be missed greatly and never forgotten. We love you Joe Scalzi! You are truly a legend. Private graveside service with family only will be held at the St. Patrick Cemetery in Placerville on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2019 at 1 p.m. A celebration of life will be held for family and friends at the Lew Howard Park Rotary Clubhouse on Dec. 8, 2019 starting at 2 p.m. 7001 Baldwin Dam Road Folsom, Calif. For those of you that knew our dad, we want to celebrate and tell stories. Drinks and food and great memories provided.