Joseph Tanzarello, 77, of San Diego, California, and who grew up in Seneca Falls, passed on August 8th, 2026 at the Jennifer Moreno VA Medical Center in San Diego. Joe will come home to be buried with his parents in St. Columbkille Cemetery, where a graveside service, with military honors, will be held on Tuesday, September 22nd at 11am. Donations in his memory may be directed to the American Cancer Society.

Joe was born in Seneca Falls, eldest son of the late Joseph S. and Cora (Pitrella) Tanzarello. Joe grew up in Seneca Falls and graduated from Mynderse Academy, Class of 1966. He later attended SUNY Geneseo. In 1968, Joe joined the US Air Force, serving proudly for 4 years.

Joe’s professional career took him around the United States. He first started in Tampa, Florida with Coaxial Communications, where he worked for 10 years before the company transferred him to the Columbus, OH area. Joe lived in Columbus, OH, where in addition to his work with Coaxial, he owned and operated Fifth Avenue Galleries and Custom Framing in Grandview, OH.

It was during his travels that Joe met Marsha Greene, the woman who would be his longtime domestic partner and companion. Joe and Marsha have enjoyed life together for over 33 years. Upon retirement, the couple set out to see as much of the US as they could. They packed up an RV and drove all across the country, even heading to Alaska for nine months, in search of the place they wanted to call home for their retirement years. They settled on San Diego, California. San Diego had the perfect weather and wonderful beaches. They settled right in. Joe and Marsha loved to ride their bikes along the boardwalk, hang out on the beach, and enjoy the many restaurants in the area.

Joe was a lifelong photographer. He loved to take pictures and capture life around him. From the waves at the beach in San Diego, to the wildlife of the Finger Lakes, Joe had a knack and love of taking pictures. In addition to photography, Joe loved to play poker with his friends and listen to classic rock n roll. He also loved to travel, even visiting Italy a few times as well as Greece and Iceland.

Joe is survived by his companion, Marsha Greene; brother, Gary Tanzarello; and cousins, Susan Noble, Joanne Wood, and James Pitrella.