Joseph Louis Brocato

Joseph Louis Brocato passed away on Friday September 25, 2020 as a result of injuries sustained from an accidental fall in his home. Joe was born and reared in the French Quarter at the time when it was still a family neighborhood filled with Italian immigrants and their descendants. He attended St. Louis Cathedral School, Redemptorist High School (Class of 1961), and went on to LSU to become the first of our immigrant family to acquire a college degree. After graduation from LSU Joe joined the VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America) program working with Native Americans in North Dakota and then with the ethnic people in the U.S. Virgin Islands. He later became a recruiter for the VISTA Program for several years.
Joe then pursued His Master’s Degree in Education at the University of Colorado, in Colorado Springs and returned to New Orleans for a short period teaching at McMain High School before taking on a position with the State of California Department of Social Services as an analyst, supervisor and finally District Manager of the Community Care Licensing Division. Joe worked in that position for over 25 years living in Santa Barbara, San Diego, Sacramento, & Los Angeles.
Joe returned to New Orleans in 1984 to manage the family business’s concession in The Italian Village at the 1984 World’s Fair and for a period at the location on Jackson Square. Joe was a co-owner with his family in Angelo Brocato’s Ice Cream & Confectionery, Inc.
Joe loved to travel. He visited many countries over the years, Italy, Spain, Greece, Denmark, France, Egypt, England, Holland, and Canada. He also enjoyed the many cruises he took with our sister Anna to the Caribbean and the Panama Canal.
Joe retired from his position in California just before Hurricane Katrina. He returned to New Orleans and for the past 15 years had tirelessly cared for our just departed sister Anna Maria Brocato who had been struggling with Juvenile Rhumatoid Arthritis since she was 11 years old. Joe was a caring and loving brother to us and uncle to our children and grandchildren as well. He loved and enjoyed being with his family. Joe and Anna’s loss so close together leaves our family heartbroken. It will take quite some time to heal.
Joe is the son of the late Angelo A. Brocato Jr. and the late Mary LoCicero Brocato. He is the brother of the late Anna Maria Brocato. Joe is survived by his siblings Mickalina , Angelo III (Lavenia) , Salvatore (Judy), and Arthur Brocato (Jolie).
He is also survived by his nieces Dana Brocato Assavado, Bridgette Brocato, Kelly Brocato and nephews Angelo IV , Nicholas , and Arthur Brocato Jr. as well as a numerous great and great great nieces and nephews, cousins and lifelong friends.
The family is forever grateful to all of the people who helped Joe care for our sister Anna, especially but not limited to Ethel Santiego, Michel Virgil, and Linda Alcorn.
In lieu of flowers the family prefers Masses or Donations to New Orleans Children’s Hospital, 200 Henry Clay Ave., New Orleans, LA 70118 in Joe’s memory. Family and friends are invited to attend the Memorial Mass on Monday, October 19, 2020 at 11:00 am in the J. Garic Schoen Chapel of JACOB SCHOEN & SON FUNERAL HOME, 3827 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70119. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am and continue until Mass time. “Due to the current restriction in Orleans Parish, only a limited number of relatives and friends are allowed to attend the funeral services and are required to practice social distancing as well as wear face coverings at the funeral home. The family is grateful for your understanding and compassion.” Condolences may be expressed at www.schoenfh.com

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