Obituary of Joseph F. LaTone

Joseph F. LaTone, 77, of 324 Colfax St., passed away Friday, April 5, 2024 at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute. He was born Sept. 13, 1946 in Silver Creek, NY, a son of the late Anthony 'Steve' and Genevieve Ferrau LaTone. A graduate of Jamestown High School, Joe was a very proud veteran serving in the Navy from 1965 to 1967 and was aboard the USS Little Rock that responded to the USS Liberty incident during the Six Day War. He was a life member of both the Jamestown Vietnam Veterans Assoc. and the AMVETS, and instrumental in the chartering of the former Thomas G. Stone AMVETS Post 1996. Joe was a heavy equipment operator for the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 17. He worked on many large local highway and building construction projects over the 30+ years prior to retirement, including the Chautauqua Lake Bridge. In earlier years an ice skater, Joe enjoyed and competed in barrel jumping, winning awards and setting records at the former Allen Park ice rink. He enjoyed riding snowmobiles with friends and spent many years at Stateline Speedway in the pits, on the wrecker crew and in the stands. He was an avid motorcycle enthusiast and had been a member of the Brothers By Choice, Patriot Guard Riders, Knights Templar and the War Dogs motorcycle clubs. He loved riding and over the years took many trips on the bike with friends including to Sturgis, Laconia, Rolling Thunder- Ride to the Wall and several NASCAR races. Joe loved to sing and entertain --evidenced by his years of karaoke. He was a member of Stage Door Canteen, Troop 1996 -- performing in local nursing homes, AMVETS conventions and NYC's Central Park. Joe was always willing to lend a helping hand and will be remembered by many. He treasured the many friendships he had with his donut shop buddies and those from many years of participating in area pool leagues and riding motorcycles. Joe loved his family deeply, was very proud of his daughters, and especially loved being a Papa. Surviving is his wife, Dawn Farnham LaTone whom he met on a blind date February 14, 1976 and married December 2, 1995; two daughters: Michelle LaTone and Stephanie (Michael) Norrod, both of Jamestown; four grandchildren: Nicole (Tylar Grimes) Armentrout, Jazmyn Rollinger-Norrod, Gemmalyn Norrod, and Kaine Norrod; his five siblings: Mary Margaret LaTone of Lakewood, A. Richard (Rita) LaTone of Jamestown, Cynthia (Ronald) Williams of Jamestown, Michael (Pamela) LaTone of Bemus Point, and Stephen (Karen) LaTone of Jamestown; sister-in-law, Jody Farnham of South Dayton and brother-in-law, Dane Farnham of Arizona; and several nieces and nephews. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by a nephew, P. Scott LaTone, and great-nephew, Christopher Brawdy. The family would like to thank the staff of Heritage Park for the love and care they provided over this past year. The funeral will be held at 12 noon on Wednesday in the Lind Funeral Home, led by Father Todd Remick. Friends will be received from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and for one hour prior to the service in the funeral home Wednesday. Memorials may be made to Kyle Petty Charity Ride, Inc., or Tim Hortons Foundation Camp.