Joseph Ralph Guetta, 88, of Niagara Falls, passed away peacefully at home with his family early October 3, 2010. Born in Niagara Falls, NY, Joseph was the son of the late Mary (Gaeta) and Ralph Guetta.

Joseph was a lifelong resident of Niagara Falls, NY. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II from February 13, 1943 until his honorable discharge on March 3, 1946 and spent some of his duty stationed at the Pentagon. He earned a degree in television engineering at The American School of Television and Radio Technology in Chicago, where he married Bonnie Martin in 1948 and who passed away in 1997. They returned to Niagara Falls, where they remained and raised their family. He was employed at Bell Aircraft (later Bell Aerosystems) as a troubleshooter in the electronics lab and then at Buffalo State College as an electronics lab technician. During his career with Bell he furthered his education in engineering at Princeton University, and had the opportunity to work on several exciting projects. Joseph was involved in testing the auto pilot system for the RASCAL Missile and was on hand at the Holliman Air Force Base in New Mexico for the first test launch. He also worked on the Bell Rocket Belt and the computer system for the Lunar Landing module and was involved in training the astronauts on the Lunar Landing Module Simulator here at Bell.

Joseph was a Eucharistic Minister at Prince of Peace church and former president of their Holy Name Society. He was an avid Yankee fan travelling to New York, Toronto and Cleveland with his children and grandchildren for games. He was a permanent fixture at LaSalle League baseball games for years as his grandsons came up through the ranks. He also enjoyed watching his grandsons compete in high school sports and building and flying remote control aircrafts.

Joe enjoyed cool jazz and blues music and attended many concerts with his children. He took pleasure in listening to his son play harmonica and blues guitar.

Joseph is survived by his four children, Gina Marten of New York City, Daria (William) Sterner, Sharon (Al) Antonucci and Tom Guetta all of Niagara Falls, NY; his five grandsons, Richard Davidson, Derrick (Melissa) Deyo, Mark Guetta, David Guetta and Tom Guetta; and his three great-granddaughters, Katelyn, Courtney and Kayla. He was also predeceased by his brother Anthony (Josephine of Lewiston, NY) Guetta. He is also survived by three nephews, Ralph (Kathy) Guetta, Anthony (Paula) Guetta and Michael (Ann) Guetta, many beloved cousins as well as step grandchildren, step great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 3 – 8 p.m. at M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 MILITARY ROAD, NIAGARA FALLS, NY. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Thursday October 7th at 10 a.m. in St. Vincent DePaul Parish at Prince of Peace Church, 1055 North Military Road, Niagara Falls, NY with Rev. Robert Hughson officiating. EVERYONE PLEASE ASSEMBLE AT CHURCH. Entombment will be held at the convenience of the family in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lewiston, NY.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to ECMC (Erie County Medical Center) Lifeline Foundation Renal Fund, 462 Grider Street, Suite G-1, Buffalo NY 14215 or to Niagara Hospice, 4675 Sunset Drive Lockport, NY 14094.

Mr. Guetta's wishes were that his body be donated to the Anatomical Gift Program at the University of Buffalo.