Joe Stanco

Joe Stanco, 85, of East Fiesta Drive, Carlsbad, New Mexico, passed away Friday, January 11, 2013 at Landsun Health Care Services. Visitation will be 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at Denton-Wood Funeral Home. Funeral services are scheduled for 3:00 PM, Wednesday, January 16, 2013, at Denton-Wood Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor D. Michael Lee, officiating. Interment will follow in Carlsbad Cemetery, Carlsbad, New Mexico. Carlsbad Veterans Honor Guard will provide military honors. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Joe Stanco was born July 12, 1927 in Vivian, West Virginia to Andrew and Mary (Figura) Stanco. He completed his schooling at Welch High School in Welch, West Virginia. After graduation, at age 17, he joined the US Navy during WW II and served aboard the Carrier U.S.S. Solerno Bay and U.S.S. Cleveland. After discharge from the Navy he then married Alice P. Mahaffey on March 8, 1947. They had two children: Joella B. and T. Andrew. The family moved to Carlsbad in 1959. Joe was employed at the U.S. Potash until 1967 and then was employed by National Potash for three years. Joe then sold insurance until his retirement and won top salesman in the U.S. several times. Joe was a member of the National Rifle Association and a lifetime member of the Veteran's of Foreign Wars (Post 3277). He was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing, marksmanship and playing pool. He also enjoyed playing cards and loved his numerous dogs he had throughout his life. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters: Anna Lascsak, Sue L. Hall and Nellie Stanco. He is survived by his wife, Alice P. Stanco of Carlsbad, NM; daughter, Joella Wilson and husband, Mark of Carlsbad, NM; son, Andrew Stanco and wife, Donna of Midland, TX; grandchildren: Hunter Stanco and wife, Jessie of San Antonio, TX, Whitney Hagopian and husband, Matt of Washington, DC; Nicholas Wilson of Carlsbad, NM, Hayden Berry of Midland, TX; great-grandchildren: J'Lynn Tyler Wilson, Ruby Alice Stanco, Zadain Nicholas Wilson, Ella Victoria Hagopian, Phoebe Kate Stanco, Bridget Nikole Wilson and another one on the way; sister, Rose Mahaffey of Morgantown, WV. Pallbearers will be Sonny Muncrief, Wayne Vanwinkle, Hunter Stanco, Nicholas Wilson, Robert Mahaffey and Mark Wilson. Memorial contributions may be made to The National Rifle Association, P.O. Box, 420648, Palm Coast, Florida 32142-0648 or Landsun Hospice, 1815 Westridge Road, Carlsbad, NM 88220. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com.