Obituary for Joseph F. Siana Jr.
Joseph F. Siana, Jr., 56, of Canton, passed away peacefully Sunday, August 21, 2022, with family by his side. Born on September 4, 1965, he was the son of the late Joseph F Siana, Sr. and the late Joan (Diminick) Siana.
Joe was a bright light that despite his limitations, met you with a smile. He had a sincere gentleness about him and a funny sense of humor. He touched many people he met with his kindness and compassion. In his youth Joe could be found listening to music, roller skating, riding anything with wheels, with dirty hands taking apart and putting together VW Bugs (not always successfully) or teasing his sisters. He graduated from Enfield High School in 1984, the same year he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. The MS could not stop Joe. He attended Hartford State Technical College where he received his associates degree. He moved to Oklahoma to continue his education and go on to graduate from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelors in Architecture. He was a member of Alpha Rho Chi, a fraternity for students studying architecture. Joe loved the area and people so much, after graduation, he started to build his life obtaining a job and buying a home in Tulsa. He could be found enjoying country line dancing, making new friends or attending and volunteering at Christ United Methodist Church. He was so good at country line dancing he earned his way to Nashville for a national dance contest hosted by The Nashville Network (TNN). He went on to marry, and was blessed with a son, Nathan Todd Siana who was his pride and joy and is also a University of Oklahoma graduate (’22). From the time Nathan was born, Joe loved nothing more than spending time with him. He never let his disability slow him down or prevent him from taking Nathan to fun activities or getting on the floor with him to play. Joe inspired those around him with his love, and we invite you to read this article that was written about Joe called “A Fathers Love” https://tulsaworld.com/archive/a-fathers-love/article_db1244b7-8ed0-5472-a2be-a14f834e7693.amp.html
For many years, Joe walked in MS Walk events raising money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. When walking became difficult, he used a wheelchair. He also volunteered at MS Bike Tours. Then Joe got the idea to ride in the 2005 MS 150 Bike Tour. After speaking to the captain of a cycling team, they decided to use a bike taxi in which Joe rode 150 miles, over two days, pulled by bicycle. His perseverance and determination was unwavering.
In his later years, after returning to Connecticut, Joe remained positive with an upbeat demeanor and one-of-a-kind sense of humor. He always enjoyed meeting new people, learning about them, and sharing stories about his past or his son. He lived out his years at Cherry Brook Health Care Center in Canton, CT and enjoyed visits with his family, friends, and the many volunteers and employees who befriended him. As he ends his earthly journey, Joe will be missed dearly by many and will never be forgotten. Instead of saying goodbye, we will instead quote Joe who would often say “Ciao for now!”
Joe leaves his son, Nathan Siana of Stillwater, OK; his sisters, Andrea Siana-Toland and her husband Anthony of North Granby, Amy Vidal and her husband Dennis of Enfield; his nieces and nephews, Makenna and Shelby Barnes, and Logan and Lia Vidal; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
A memorial mass will be held at Holy Family Church in Enfield on Saturday, August 27th at noon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joe’s memory payable to “Resident Council Fund” c/o Cherry Brook Health Care, 102 Dyer Ave, Canton, CT 06019. By donating to this fund, all donations will go directly to support therapeutic recreation for the residents. The family is extremely grateful for the care and friendship he received from so many at Cherry Brook over the past 10 years. For online condolences, please visit www.leetestevens.com.
Joe was a bright light that despite his limitations, met you with a smile. He had a sincere gentleness about him and a funny sense of humor. He touched many people he met with his kindness and compassion. In his youth Joe could be found listening to music, roller skating, riding anything with wheels, with dirty hands taking apart and putting together VW Bugs (not always successfully) or teasing his sisters. He graduated from Enfield High School in 1984, the same year he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. The MS could not stop Joe. He attended Hartford State Technical College where he received his associates degree. He moved to Oklahoma to continue his education and go on to graduate from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelors in Architecture. He was a member of Alpha Rho Chi, a fraternity for students studying architecture. Joe loved the area and people so much, after graduation, he started to build his life obtaining a job and buying a home in Tulsa. He could be found enjoying country line dancing, making new friends or attending and volunteering at Christ United Methodist Church. He was so good at country line dancing he earned his way to Nashville for a national dance contest hosted by The Nashville Network (TNN). He went on to marry, and was blessed with a son, Nathan Todd Siana who was his pride and joy and is also a University of Oklahoma graduate (’22). From the time Nathan was born, Joe loved nothing more than spending time with him. He never let his disability slow him down or prevent him from taking Nathan to fun activities or getting on the floor with him to play. Joe inspired those around him with his love, and we invite you to read this article that was written about Joe called “A Fathers Love” https://tulsaworld.com/archive/a-fathers-love/article_db1244b7-8ed0-5472-a2be-a14f834e7693.amp.html
For many years, Joe walked in MS Walk events raising money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. When walking became difficult, he used a wheelchair. He also volunteered at MS Bike Tours. Then Joe got the idea to ride in the 2005 MS 150 Bike Tour. After speaking to the captain of a cycling team, they decided to use a bike taxi in which Joe rode 150 miles, over two days, pulled by bicycle. His perseverance and determination was unwavering.
In his later years, after returning to Connecticut, Joe remained positive with an upbeat demeanor and one-of-a-kind sense of humor. He always enjoyed meeting new people, learning about them, and sharing stories about his past or his son. He lived out his years at Cherry Brook Health Care Center in Canton, CT and enjoyed visits with his family, friends, and the many volunteers and employees who befriended him. As he ends his earthly journey, Joe will be missed dearly by many and will never be forgotten. Instead of saying goodbye, we will instead quote Joe who would often say “Ciao for now!”
Joe leaves his son, Nathan Siana of Stillwater, OK; his sisters, Andrea Siana-Toland and her husband Anthony of North Granby, Amy Vidal and her husband Dennis of Enfield; his nieces and nephews, Makenna and Shelby Barnes, and Logan and Lia Vidal; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
A memorial mass will be held at Holy Family Church in Enfield on Saturday, August 27th at noon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joe’s memory payable to “Resident Council Fund” c/o Cherry Brook Health Care, 102 Dyer Ave, Canton, CT 06019. By donating to this fund, all donations will go directly to support therapeutic recreation for the residents. The family is extremely grateful for the care and friendship he received from so many at Cherry Brook over the past 10 years. For online condolences, please visit www.leetestevens.com.