OAKLAND, California — Joseph R. “Joe” Chianese passed away peacefully in his home in Oakland, California, on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024. 

Joe was born Sept. 20, 1948, in Youngstown, to the late Mario “Fatty” and Jessie “Dolly” Chianese.

He graduated from Ursuline High School in 1966 and would go on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in linguistics from The Ohio State University in 1973. Shortly after earning his bachelor’s degree, Joe moved to Oakland, California, where he took courses at Berkeley over the years before finally enrolling at Golden Gate University, School of Law in 1997, at 49 years old. 

Joe earned his J.D. with distinction in 2001; and his LL.M. in 2005 at Golden Gate. 

As an attorney and mediator, Joe advocated for workers and specialized in labor and employment law. In 2005, he began working for the U.S. Department of Labor, eventually becoming an Equal Opportunity Specialist, a role from which he retired in 2015.

In the 40 years between when Joe graduated high school and when he finished his second law degree, he had attended six different universities, learned to speak five different languages and ultimately earned the three degrees named above (although, he mostly finished a handful of other degree programs, as well). He was a perpetual student, which would be surprising to no one who spoke with him regularly; Joe was a fount of knowledge, both practical and trivial — a true renaissance man with interests in everything from astronomy to gastronomy. Yes, Joe was also a gourmet cook, a talented baker and a connoisseur of fine wines and spirits, particularly Scotch. He somehow managed to know it all without ever being a know-it-all. 

Quick-witted and self-deprecating, Joe almost always made himself the butt of his jokes — or at least we assumed he was joking. He had such a sincere delivery that it was sometimes difficult to tell when he was being serious or just spinning a yarn. In retirement, Joe spent his time gardening and taking care of Jolly, his sweet black Lab. He enjoyed taking her on walks and plating his homemade gourmet food for her. Or so he told us (again, we really couldn’t tell). But what was never in doubt was Joe’s love for his friends and family. Those of us who were close to him could never escape a conversation without feeling his warmth and sincere affection. We were all lucky to have known him.

Joe was preceded in death by his mother and father; his brothers, John D. Chianese and Len D. Chianese; his brother-in-law, David H. Jenkins; and his partner of 43 years, Peter Stambaugh.

He is survived by his sister, Marion Jenkins of Stuart, Florida; his brother, Vince Chianese of Youngstown; his sister-in-law, Margie Chianese of Youngstown; four nieces, Rita (Hunter) Jenkins-Wolcott, Kimberly (Jayson) Hill, Laurel (Dale) Misiolek and Jessica White; six nephews, Dr. James (Jennifer) Chianese, Dr. Daniel Chianese, Gregory (Kathleen) Chianese, Eric Chianese, Marcus Chianese and David Chianese, and many loving great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins. He also leaves his godson and cousin, Joe (Mike) Leone of San Francisco, California, and his godson and dear friend, Danny (Lydia) Rice of Oakland, California.

A Memorial Mass, in Joe’s honor, will be at 11 a.m. Oct. 26, at St. Edward Church in Youngstown, followed by a luncheon at the parish hall.