Joseph Bischetti

Joseph Louis Bischetti was born July 10, 1928, in Chamonix, France. He was one of five children, the youngest son of immigrants who fled the rise of fascism in Italy. His father, Luigi, was a farmer who struggled to support his family in his new country during a difficult moment in European history. The difficult financial straits of his family, followed by the second World War, left a deep impression on young Joseph.

Though with little formal education as a youth, Joseph was gifted in languages, ultimately speaking Italian, French, English and Spanish. He dreamed of being an architect, but he learned the construction trade. After working on several projects in southern France, an opportunity arose to work on an U.S. military construction project in French Algeria after the war. It was there that he met Andre’e Boig at a weekend dance. Andre’e and Joseph married in 1955 in Casablanca. Shortly after his wedding, he received a visa to emigrate to California. He moved first to San Francisco before quickly moving to Culver City for the more hospitable climate. His wife received her visa and was allowed to join her husband in 1957.

It was in Southern California that Joseph developed his general contractor business, serving clients on remodeling projects large and small throughout the westside. He moved to Pacific Palisades in 1975, loving its Mediterranean climate and its small town feel. He worked well into his 70s before retiring. When he was 80 years old, he himself put a new roof on his Palisades house.

Joseph and Andre’e became American citizens in 1976. He was a proud American who took a deep interest in politics and world affairs.

He died May 2, 2017, at Providence St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica. He was 88. He is deeply missed by his wife, Andre’e; his children: Corine (Erlandson), Patricia, Diane (Sipos) and Francis; his grandchildren: Anthony, Andrew, Amelia, Maria, Miles, Tim and Annabelle; and his sons in law: Greg Erlandson, Mark Rusch and David Sipos.

The funeral is to be celebrated at Corpus Christi Church on May 9, with burial at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City.