Joe passed away at his home after a courageous battle against cancer. No one has ever fought to live harder than Joe did. He was the husband of Katherine (Kathy) Lynn Madden, father of Lauren Michelle and Leslie Nicole Lovitto, son of Joseph & Anthonette (Bakulich) Lovitto and brother of Robert Lovitto. Joe & Kathy, a native of Dallas, Texas were married in the home of her parents on April 04, 1981 in Mansfield, Tarrant County, Texas. He played baseball for the Washington Senators who later became the Texas Rangers from 1972 to 1975.
Joe battled cancer for 7 long years and he amazed and astonished the doctors, nurses and staff at M. D. Anderson in Houston, Texas. They dubbed him "The Dago with 9 lives" because he overcame the odds numerous times. When there seemed to be no hope Joe with his unmatched will to live, his onery streak and his dedicated, devoted, hard working, amazing doctor, he managed to beat the odds for 4 years. Dr. Amato worked tirelessly searching for different experimental treatments that might help Joe prolong his life ... which he did. His unselfish devotion and Joe's will to live gave us all another 4 years with him. Finally, on May 18, 2001 after undergoing more rounds of experimental chemo and other treatments, Joe stopped breathing twice during one his dialysis treatments which he underwent 3 times a week. Both times, Joe began breathing on his own. I believe he did so, so his wife and his 2 beautiful daughters could have the chance to tell him goodbye. They've known for a long time this day was coming, we all have, but it doesn't make it any easier.
Joe battled cancer for 7 long years and he amazed and astonished the doctors, nurses and staff at M. D. Anderson in Houston, Texas. They dubbed him "The Dago with 9 lives" because he overcame the odds numerous times. When there seemed to be no hope Joe with his unmatched will to live, his onery streak and his dedicated, devoted, hard working, amazing doctor, he managed to beat the odds for 4 years. Dr. Amato worked tirelessly searching for different experimental treatments that might help Joe prolong his life ... which he did. His unselfish devotion and Joe's will to live gave us all another 4 years with him. Finally, on May 18, 2001 after undergoing more rounds of experimental chemo and other treatments, Joe stopped breathing twice during one his dialysis treatments which he underwent 3 times a week. Both times, Joe began breathing on his own. I believe he did so, so his wife and his 2 beautiful daughters could have the chance to tell him goodbye. They've known for a long time this day was coming, we all have, but it doesn't make it any easier.
Joe passed away at his home after a courageous battle against cancer. No one has ever fought to live harder than Joe did. He was the husband of Katherine (Kathy) Lynn Madden, father of Lauren Michelle and Leslie Nicole Lovitto, son of Joseph & Anthonette (Bakulich) Lovitto and brother of Robert Lovitto. Joe & Kathy, a native of Dallas, Texas were married in the home of her parents on April 04, 1981 in Mansfield, Tarrant County, Texas. He played baseball for the Washington Senators who later became the Texas Rangers from 1972 to 1975.
Joe battled cancer for 7 long years and he amazed and astonished the doctors, nurses and staff at M. D. Anderson in Houston, Texas. They dubbed him "The Dago with 9 lives" because he overcame the odds numerous times. When there seemed to be no hope Joe with his unmatched will to live, his onery streak and his dedicated, devoted, hard working, amazing doctor, he managed to beat the odds for 4 years. Dr. Amato worked tirelessly searching for different experimental treatments that might help Joe prolong his life ... which he did. His unselfish devotion and Joe's will to live gave us all another 4 years with him. Finally, on May 18, 2001 after undergoing more rounds of experimental chemo and other treatments, Joe stopped breathing twice during one his dialysis treatments which he underwent 3 times a week. Both times, Joe began breathing on his own. I believe he did so, so his wife and his 2 beautiful daughters could have the chance to tell him goodbye. They've known for a long time this day was coming, we all have, but it doesn't make it any easier.
Joe battled cancer for 7 long years and he amazed and astonished the doctors, nurses and staff at M. D. Anderson in Houston, Texas. They dubbed him "The Dago with 9 lives" because he overcame the odds numerous times. When there seemed to be no hope Joe with his unmatched will to live, his onery streak and his dedicated, devoted, hard working, amazing doctor, he managed to beat the odds for 4 years. Dr. Amato worked tirelessly searching for different experimental treatments that might help Joe prolong his life ... which he did. His unselfish devotion and Joe's will to live gave us all another 4 years with him. Finally, on May 18, 2001 after undergoing more rounds of experimental chemo and other treatments, Joe stopped breathing twice during one his dialysis treatments which he underwent 3 times a week. Both times, Joe began breathing on his own. I believe he did so, so his wife and his 2 beautiful daughters could have the chance to tell him goodbye. They've known for a long time this day was coming, we all have, but it doesn't make it any easier.
Bio by: Debbie Cromwell
