Joseph A. Longo Sr., 97, beloved husband of the late Catherine (Femia) Longo died Sunday May 20, 2012 at MidState Medical Center. Born in Meriden on March 19, 1915, he was the son of the late Dominic A. and Rosemarie (Fazzio) Longo. A lifelong resident, Joseph attended local schools and was a parishioner of St. Rose of Lima Church. He proudly served in the United States Army during WWII and worked in the Tech Lighting Department in Rolling Mill for the Miller Company where he retired after 34 years of service. Joseph was a member of the Knights of Columbus, a charter member and Treasurer of the American Federation of Musicians, past vice president of the Musician's Association, Publicity Chairman for the Rosa Ponselle Society and he was on the Board of Directors of the Meriden Boys Club. Joseph had a great love for his family. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. Besides his family, his second great passion in life was music. He caught the music bug in 6th grade after hearing his cousin Joe play the Banjo. At this time Joseph not only learned to play the Banjo but Guitar as well. In high school he became a self study on the Clarinet and Sax. Joseph played publically at parties, dances and weddings. At age 16 he decided to leave school and pursue a career in music, thus the group "The Circle" was founded. From 1934 until 1948 the group played throughout central CT and had summer gigs in PA and Cape Cod. In 1941 he met his wife while playing at a wedding. Joseph entered the service in 1942 and wed Kay. They were stationed in Cheyenne, WY where he played for four years in an Army Band at Fort Warren. Joseph started his own group in 1948 until 1972. When they disbanded he continued playing in Band Concerts, with a Dixieland Group and enjoyed marching in parades especially the PT Barnum Parade. Joseph is survived by his son Joseph A. Longo Jr. of CA; two daughters: Joanne Gaffney and her husband Dennis of Meriden, Gail Tanguay and her husband Michael of Kensington: two sisters: Bette Scarfo and Esther Standish both of Meriden; five grandchildren: Daniel Gaffney of Meriden, Megan Gaffney Ouellette and her husband Scott of Meriden, Patrick Gaffney and his wife Erin of Idaho, Terry Sharp and her husband Thomas of West Hartford and Cindy Tanguay of New Britain; five great grandchildren: Jacqueline Ouellette, Fiona Gaffney, Aislyn Gaffney, Taylor Sharp, Ryan Sharp; two brothers-in-law: Carmen Scarfo, Robert Femia; five sisters-in-law: Emma Femia, Jean Femia, Josephine Femia, Ann Brannigan, Dolores Schmidt and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two brothers: James and Lawrence (Carmen) Longo and a sister Jenny Scarfo.