- Posted July 03, 2014
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OBITUARY

Joseph S. Agnello
Retired Judge Joseph S. Agnello, age 91, of Madison Heights passed away peacefully in his sleep while visiting family in Colorado Springs, Colorado on June 25.
Agnello was born on November 28, 1922 in Hazel Park. He attended St. Mary Magdalen School and graduated from Hazel Park High School in 1941. He served as class president, was a member of the National Honor Society and was the captain of the Hazel Park High School football team his senior year. He attended Central Michigan University, Valparaiso Law School and received his law degree from the University of Detroit School of Law in 1953.
He served with the Army Air Force as a staff sergeant during World War II in the India, Burma and China Theatre, 492nd Bomb Squadron, 7th Bomb Group.
Agnello served 30 years as a municipal and district judge in the 43rd District. He retired as the presiding judge of the Hazel Park Division after serving three terms as chief judge.
Agnello was a member of the American Judges Association, American Society of Italian-American Jurists, the American Bar Association, the State Bar of Michigan, Retired Michigan District Judges Association, the Oakland County District Judges Association, the Oakland County Bar Association, the Macomb County Bar Association, and the South Oakland Bar Association (the SOBs). He was a charter member and past president of the Hazel Park Kiwanis, associate board member of Community Services of Oakland, and past member of Hazel Park Civil Service Commission.
Agnello spent most of his life as a resident of the 43rd District. He enjoyed reading, traveling and being with his family. Beloved husband of 32 years to Sandra "Sandy" Agnello. Father of Joseph A. Agnello of Hazel Park, Robert (Anna) Agnello of Warren, David Agnello of Hazel Park, Susan (Joe) Kling of Florence, South Carolina, Joseph S. (Rachel) Agnello II of Hunt Valley, Maryland, and John Agnello of Honolulu, Hawaii. Grandfather of Josef (Kristin) Kling, Jon Michael (Dae eun) Kling, Jessica (Michael) Degnars, Julia Kling, Jennifer (Trevor) Peterson, Joseph Philip Agnello. Great-Grandfather of Joseph Kling, Arianna Kling and Giuliana Kling-Degnars. He was predeceased by his parents, Anthony G. and Stella from Grotte, Italy, and his sisters, Stella Blunden and Lillian Licata Shook.
Visitation will be held today from 2 to 9 p.m. and Friday, July 4, from 2 to 9 p.m. at Hopcroft Funeral Home, 23919 John R. Road in Hazel Park. Funeral mass will be held Saturday, July 5, at 11 a.m. (10:30 a.m. instate) at St. Mary Magdalen Church in Hazel Park. Burial at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield.
Memorial donations may be sent to Hazel Park Promise Zone, P. O. Box 1068, Hazel Park, 48030; or made online at http://www.hazelparkpromise.com/donate.html.
Published: Thu, Jul 03, 2014
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