Obituary of Joseph Anton Iatarola

IATAROLA, Joseph "Joe" Anton passed away peacefully on April 11, 2016, at his home in Tucson, Arizona. He was 80 years old. Born on August 24, 1935 in Oak Park, Illinois, Mr. Iatarola was son of the late Joseph C. Iatarola and Rafaella "Fay" (Mauro) Iatarola. In 1950, he moved with his family to Tucson, which he called home for the rest of his life. He graduated from Amphi High School in 1953, where he was an all-city quarterback and baseball player, and later attended University of Arizona. He was a recognized builder and real estate developer throughout Tucson and owned a number of restaurants and nightclubs, including Jesters Club and Jumping Jacks. A lifelong cigar aficionado, he created his own cigar brand, "JAI Cubano Classico", the cornerstone of his Empire Cigar Company. He was also a boxing and horse racing enthusiast, golfer, Chicago Cubs fan, supporter of the arts, and proud Italian son, who counted among his friends such diverse personalities as Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Rocky Colavito, and Herb Score. He never forgot a fact, and his stories of the nightclub scene in Chi-Town and his Rat Pack days in Las Vegas are the stuff of legend. He will be sorely missed. Mr. Iatarola is survived by his sister, Rubina F. Gallo; niece, Giada Gallo (Demian) Quiroz, and great-niece, all of Tucson, as well as numerous cousins and friends. Visitations will be held on Thursday, April 21, 2016 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with eulogy at 7:00 p.m. and on Friday, April 22, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at ADAIR FUNERAL HOME, Avalon Chapel, 8090 N. Northern, followed by entombment at Holy Hope Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, friends may make memorial donations to the University of Arizona Music Department in the name of his father, Joseph C. Iatarola