Joseph Anthony Lorenzo

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Joseph Anthony Lorenzo

Dec. 7, 1946 ~ Sept. 11, 2017

Joseph Anthony Lorenzo “Joey” passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on the evening of Mon., Sept. 11, 2017, after a brief but fierce battle with cancer. He was a devoted and loving husband, father and “Nonno” to his five grandchildren. He will be greatly missed.

Joe was born on Dec. 7, 1946, in Salt Lake City, to parents Joseph R. Lorenzo and Angeline DiPietro. Raised by his Italian-American parents in Salt Lake City, he was taught to work hard and follow his dreams. Following his graduation from Skyline High School in 1965, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve. In 1966, Joe moved to Los Angeles to study interior design at Woodbury College. It was here that he met the love of his life, Nancy Cumming. Joe married Nancy on Jan. 27, 1968, at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Los Angeles.

Joe and Nancy returned to Utah in the early 1970s for Joe to complete his education at the University of Utah and raise their family. He received a Master of Architecture degree in 1980. After working at the firms Gillies Stransky and Edwards & Daniels Architects, Joe followed his heart and opened a studio of his own: JAL Architects. For the next 25 years, he sketched, designed and masterminded numerous homes, churches and other buildings throughout the Wasatch Front. Joe was an emeritus member of the American Institute of Architects.

In addition to his love for his family and architecture, Joe loved the Lord. Together, Joe and Nancy served the Lord through weekly “Friday Night Bible Studies” in their home and through the Fire Fighters for Christ tape ministry. They also worshiped the Lord at Calvary Chapel of Salt Lake.

Our family extends sincere thanks to the staff at St. Mark’s Hospital as well as Caring Senior Services of Midvale and Millcreek Hospice for the loving care they provided Joe in his home during his last months.

Joe is survived by his loving wife Nancy, son Seth (Annette), daughter Arianne (Randy) Rutherford and son Nicholas (Elizabeth); son-in-law, Robert McNally; his grandchildren (whom he loved and adored) Lily and Jacob Rutherford and Ophelia, Lucas and Finn Lorenzo; nephews Ian (Diana) McNally and Aaron McNally; his faithful dog Kibo; and many cousins from his large Italian family.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Angeline; father, Joseph; and his beloved sister Rosemarie Lorenzo McNally.

Funeral services were at Calvary Chapel on Sept. 20.