Joseph Paul Madonia

Joseph Paul Madonia, born May 9, 1926, died February 15, 2011. Joe was the son of Angelo and Amelia Madonia. He attended Sacred Heart Academy and joined the Navy days after his graduation in 1944. After two years of service took him around the world, he earned a degree in Marketing and Finance from St. Louis University. For thirty years he was Executive Director of the Helena Housing Authority. Helenians know Joe as a walking repository of the area's history and its biggest booster. Over many years Joe collected and meticulously cataloged Indian artifacts, Civil War items, and antique bottles. Joe is survived by Lois Watson Madonia, his wife of 53 years; his children, Ann Casey of Fairview, Texas, Joe Madonia of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Jill Frazier of Little Rock; and grandchildren, Joey and Drew Frazier, Reo and Cameron Casey, and Maribeth Madonia. Funeral Mass, 11 a.m., February 18 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Helena. Pallbearers: Vincent Glorioso, Joey Frazier, Drew Frazier, Gary Coy, Ricky Snowden and Ed Tardy. Memorials may be made to St. Mary's Church Building Fund, 123 Columbia Street, Helena, Arkansas 72342. Services will be directed by Roller-Citizens Funeral Home, West Helena, (870) 572-2571. Online guest book www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.