Portrait of Joseph Mondello
Born November 20, 1926 in Gloucester
Rank: Petty Officer 3rd Class. Service: US Navy. Division/Ship: USS Denver. Theater: Pacific, Philippines. Dates of Service: 1944 - 1946

Joe Mondello, along with his brother Frank and 12 other siblings were born in Gloucester' Mondello Square, where he continues to live today. He joined the Navy at 18, shipped out of California on a troop ship with 6000 other sailors to Guadacanal and then Subic Bay where he was assigned to the cruiser USS Denver. Mondello served as a fire control on the ships 40mm long-range guns. "We pounded the hell out of the Philippines." In addition to supporting invasion forces, his ship accompanied mine sweepers. He discharged in 1946 and returned to Gloucester. He went to work for his father as a cobbler and in 1948 opened his own shoe repair shop on Pleasant Street that he continues to operate today. In 1948 he married Virginia "Ginnie" Murray; together they had five children. There are currently 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Ginnie passed away in 2023.