The boxing world and Morris Park community mourn the passing Joseph DeGuardia, Sr., the patriarch of the DeGuardia family, father of Star Boxing president Joe DeGuardia, Jr., and a highly-respected figure in the Bronx community. His obituary is below; the photo above with his son and former champion Chris Algieri is from Barclays Center, Dec. 2015.
Joseph DeGuardia Sr., (AKA DioGuardi) a lifelong resident of the Bronx and resident of Morris Park for over 50 years, died on March 8, 2016. He was 86.
Mr. DeGuardia was born on February 27, 1930 in New York City to the late Dominick and Emilia (Leone) DioGuardi. He was a professional boxer who founded the Morris Park Boxing Club and BATOY (Better America Through Our Youth). Through these organizations he trained and mentored an entire generation of boxers. He was active in the Morris Park community and owned and operated ‘Clowntown’ on Morris Park Avenue.
Mr. DeGuardia, a Patriarch of the DeGuardia family and Morris Park Community, was a respected figure not just in the Bronx but throughout the country. He was a pillar in the community and hero to thousands of youth that he guided in and out of the ring. While he boxed professionally and came from the historic boxing breeding grounds with trainers such as Angelo Dundee (who trained him) and Cus D’amato, it was his unwavering huge heart to youth and the underdog that endeared him to so many.
He is survived by his wife Dorothy (nee Raven) DioGuardi; his sons, Joseph, Donald, Eric, and Dean; his daughters, Lynne, Denise, and Raven; his grandchildren, Jessica, Salvatore, Jesse, Frank, Dominique, Joseph, Andrew, Louis, Briana, Nicolette, London, Deanna, and Lorenzo; his great-grandchildren, Gabriel and Julius; and his sisters, Angela Maresca and Mary Taccetta. He is pre-deceased by his son Rick Jay DeGuardia, who died on November 25, 2015.
Joe DeGuardia, Sr. Obituary and Funeral Information: Visiting will be Friday, March 11, 2-4 pm & 7-9 pm at Joseph A. Lucchese Funeral Home, 726 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY. Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, March 12, 10:30am at Our Lady of Solace Church. Interment will be private.
