Joseph Basile

Joseph “Joe” Samuel Basile, 80, of Dent, MN, passed away peacefully Thursday, February 26, 2009, in his home surrounded by his wife and children .


Joe was born November 14, 1928, in the Philadelphia suburb of Norristown. Joe is the son of Joseph and Colomba Basile, immigrants from southern Italy and the third youngest of twelve children.



After attending school in Black Horse and Norristown, Joe served in the army from 1948 to 1952. He served in England and in Germany during the Berlin Airlift. In 1954, he sought adventure and headed west to California, finally settling in Anchorage, AK. He took odd jobs, from busting batteries, making and selling donuts, to driving taxi. In 1955, Joe was hired as a heavy equipment operator (an operating engineer or “cat-skinner”) by a construction company. Joe worked on every road in and out of Anchorage and miles beyond in the “bush” of Alaska. He had many exciting tales to tell of life in early Alaska.



On September 3, 1966, Joe married Gloria Gertrude Stoll and raised three sons: Joseph “JB” (born 1967), an orthodontist; Lance (born 1969), an electrical engineer; and Rocco (born 1972), an art illustrator and graphic designer. All three live in the Twin Cities. He became a proud grandfather to Sophia Grace on August 20, 2007.



He ended his career working on the North Slope oil fields, retiring in 1987. He and Gloria moved to Dent, MN, in 1990, where Joe built their home. Joe enjoyed yard and dirt work and being on his tractor, “Big Orange.” He enjoyed rooting for his hometown teams, the Eagles and the Phillies. Joe loved to restore old cars and gas pumps and belonged to the Perham Area Cruisers car club. A gleaming ’54 Chevy convertible was his pride and joy. Joe was a talented wood carver and a member of the Three Fingers Carving Club. He leaves behind a gallery of treasured masterpieces.



Surviving Joe are his beloved wife and children: Joseph (Sarah and granddaughter Sophia) Basile, Lance (Sara) Basile, and Rocco Basile; sisters: Marge (Albert) DiMartino, Mary (Dick) Swon and Gloria (Sonny) Ciliberto; brothers: Mickey (Mildred) Basile, Silvio (Jeanne) Basile, and many nephews and nieces. Sisters-in-law: Bertha Basile and Louise Basile. Brother-in-law: Sonny Ciliberto.



Preceding Joe in death are his parents: Joseph and Colomba Basile; sisters: Sadie (Ben) Ross, Jenny Basile, Helen (Ed) Eason, and infant sister, Yolanda (died at birth); brothers: Alex (Louise) Basile and Mike (Bertha) Basile. Brothers-in-law: Ben Ross, Albert DiMartino, Ed Eason, and Dick Swon. Sisters-in-law: Mildred Basile and Jeanne Basile.



In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Sacred Heart Catholic Church Elevator Fund, 36963 State Hwy 108, Dent, MN 56528.