Joseph A. "Pep" Basile, 86, of Youngstown, NY died on Friday April 24, 2009 in Peoria, AZ. Born in Galeton, PA, he was the son of the late Anthony and Palma (Gialloretto) Basile. On July 5, 1947 he married Elvera "Vera" (Nudo) Basile at St. Joseph Church in Niagara Falls, NY. Mrs. Basile predeceased him on August 14, 2000.


Pep, as he was known, was educated in Pennsylvania and came to the Niagara Falls area in 1939. During World War II he served in the United States Army Air Force as a Corporal with the 8th Radio Squadron Mobile from October 23, 1942 until his honorable discharge on January 7, 1946. He served in the Pacific Theatre and was involved in the campaigns of Guam, Saipan, Tinane, and Philippines. Joseph was qualified as a Thompson Sub Machine Gun Experts and awarded a Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with one bronze star and a World War II Victory Medal.

Joe and his wife Vera owned and operated the Holiday Motel on Niagara Falls Boulevard for twenty years, and later Niagara Frontier Travel for thirty years until retiring in the late 1980's. During that time he was a member of and served as president of the Pine Avenue/Route 62 Businessman's Association. Joseph was a member of St. Bernard's Roman Catholic Church in Youngstown. He was also active in many other local organizations including; the Knights of Columbus Council 247 in Niagara Falls where he served as former Captain of the 4th Degree Color Corp., a former member of the board of directors for sixteen years and past Faithful Navigator. An avid outdoorsman and passionate hunter, Joseph was a former member of the 3 F Club in Youngstown, NY and the LaSalle Sportsman Club in the Town of Niagara. He also enjoyed playing golf and was a member of the Niagara Frontier Country Club. Pep was also actively involved with the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and from 2000 - 2007 served as a volunteer at Mt. St. Mary's Hospital in Lewiston, NY.

Mr. Basile is survived by two children; Michael J. (Julie) Basile of Wheatfield, NY and Paula (Hal) Crispell of Youngstown, NY; three grandchildren; Christopher Basile, Kristin (Abel) Casillas and Justin Crispell, two great-grandchildren Gianni and Carmen Casillas, one brother Anthony 'Tony' (Elaine) Basile of Lewiston, NY; three sisters; Mary (late Alex) Fabrizio, Theresa "Daisy" (late Babe) Mistretta both of Niagara Falls, NY and Helen (late David) Frisoni of Phoenix, AZ his dear friend Dorothy McKenna, and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins. He was also predeceased by one brother Camillo "Tommy" (Anne of Niagara Falls, NY) Basile and one sister Gracie Basile.

Friends may call on Wednesday from 3 – 5 and 7 – 9 p.m. at the M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 MILITARY ROAD, NIAGARA FALLS, NY. Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday April 30th at 10 a.m. in St. Bernard Church 218 Hinman St. Youngstown, NY with Msgr. J. Thomas Moran officiating. EVERYONE PLEASE ASSEMBLE AT CHURCH. Entombment with Military Honors will be held in St. Joseph Cemetery Niagara Falls, NY. The Knights of Columbus Council #247 will conduct services on Wednesday at 7:30PM at the funeral chapel. In lieu of flowers and contributions, Joseph's family asks that you please pass along a smile to a stranger, or act of kindness in his honor.