Joe Falconite

PADUCAH, Ky. -- Joe Falconite, 98, of Paducah passed away Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018, at Superior Care Home.

Joe was born in Brooklyn, New York, on Feb. 5, 1920, to the late Joseph and Leticia Falconite.

He served in the Korean War as a member of the Navy.

He moved to the Paducah area in the 1940s as a member of the Pipefitters Union to start work constructing the U.S. Enrichment Corporation (USEC). While here, he fell in love with a country girl, Betty Lou Oakes, and they have been married for 63 years.

Joe then started Falconite Crane Services in Cairo, Illinois, before moving to Paducah in 1981. He found great success with his business ventures, which eventually became a multistate operation.

He was a member of the Elks Club in Cairo and was a devoted Catholic and member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church.

Joe loved exercise, exotic cars and playing poker with his same group of friends for more than 50 years. He was a devoted husband and a great family man who enjoyed the simple things in life, such as sitting in his driveway with his wife and playing with the neighborhood dogs. Joe will be remembered by those he loved as someone who was always smiling.

Joe is survived by his wife, Betty Lou Oakes Falconite; his son, Mike Falconite of Paducah; his grandchildren, Nicki (Kenny) Roof and Joe Falconite, both of Paducah; and great-grandchildren, Jack Roof, Ellie Roof, Haley Falconite, Cooper Falconite, Michael Falconite, Johnathon Falconite and Camron Falconite.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A funeral Mass will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, with the Rev. Brad Whistle officiating. Burial will follow at Mount Carmel Cemetery.

There will be no visitation.

Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah is in charge of arrangements.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donation to St. Mary's School System, 1243 Elmdale Road, Paducah, KY 42003.

You may leave a message for the family or light a candle at www.milnerandorr.com.