Obituary of S.J. "Joe" Amato

Salvatore Joseph “Joe” Amato died on Friday, September 2 in Frankfort where he had resided since the early 1950’s. He was 92 years old. Joe was born in Lexington on April 19, 1924 to S. J. Amato, Sr. And Christine Mangione Amato. He was baptized at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Lexington. He graduated from St. Catherine’s Academy, Lexington, in 1941. He attended the City College of New York and graduated with a B.S. In Civil Engineering in 1949 from the University of Kentucky where he was a member of Phi Kappa Tau. A decorated veteran of World War II, he served in the European theater in the Army Air Corp with the 366th Bomb Squadron. He served for 36 years at the Kentucky Department of Transportation, retiring in 1986 as the Assistant Director of Bridges. He was a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Kentucky Society of Professional Engineers, Good Shepherd Catholic Church, the American Legion, and the Drum and Bugle Corp. Joe was an avid sports fan and loved the UK wildcats. One of his fondest memories was attending the 1950 Sugar Bowl when the Wildcats were named the #1 football team in the country. Joe loved dancing and was involved in square dance and ballroom dancing groups in Frankfort, Lexington and Lakeland, Florida, where he and and his beloved wife Edna had a retirement home and many friends. Joe and Edna enjoyed dancing at events at the Frankfort Country Club where they also played golf and tennis with friends and family. He loved being with his family and enjoyed entertaining his grandchildren at many Florida parks. Joe is survived by his wife of 60 years, Edna Hill Amato; daughter Jean Dorton (Alan) of Versailles; sons Bill (Tracie) of Wilder; David, of Tallahassee; and Bob (Carmen) of Frankfort; Brothers Bob (Carole) and Tony (Valeria) Amato and sister Jean Bodine, all of Northern Virginia; Grandchildren Caitlin and Abby Dorton; Jacob, Tony and Joe Amato, Kaitlyn Cobb and Timmy Moore; Aidan, Maggie and Nora Amato; and Alex, Mary Grace and Anna Amato; and many beloved nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Wednesday, September 7 beginning at 3:30 p.m. at Good Shepherd Church, Frankfort, with the Mass of Christian Burial at 5:30 p.m. A reception will follow in the Parish Life Center. Arrangements are under the direction of Rogers Funeral Home. Flowers are welcome, while contributions in Joe's memory are suggested to Good Shepherd Catholic Church or Hospice of the Bluegrass.