Joseph Malaspino

Joseph “Joe” Malaspino, age 94, of Ephrata, Washington, died May 5, 2013 at Columbia Basin Hospital in Ephrata, Washington. He was the son of Italian immigrants from San Marco di La Catola Provincia di Foggia in Italy, born to Rosina Malaspina on May 4, 191 in Seattle, Washington; three weeks after his father, Joseph Malaspina died. He was the youngest of 5 children. He graduated from Franklin High School in Seattle in 1938 and attended the University of Washington. At a dance in Seattle he met his future wife, Pauline Rottle from Auburn, Washington and they were engaged six days later. They were married May 25, 1941 in Auburn, Washington and then he served in the U.S. Army stationed in the Philippines during World War II. After he returned, their daughter Rose was born in 1946. Joe co-managed Rottle’s Department Store in Auburn with his brother-in-law, Don Rottle, and his father-in-law Abdo Rottle. Later Joe and Pauline moved to Seattle where he drove trolley buses and worked in a shoe store. In 1954 they moved to Ephrata, Washington as partners with Abdo Rottle, Pauline’s father, in R & M Shoes and Children’s Wear for 16 years. He worked alongside his wife in the store while continuing his love of cars. After the store closed in 1971 he sold cars, and continued to restore antique and classic automobiles. He was past president and 55-year member of the Fraternal Order of Eagle’s Club #3338 in Auburn and Ephrata; and also a 55-year + (perfect attendance) member in the Ephrata Lion’s Club; a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Ephrata; a founding member and past president of Columbia Basin Carriage Club since 1954 where he and Pauline and their family participated in many parades and won several trophies for their antique and classic cars. The most memorable cars being a yellow 1965 Mustang convertible, and a 1931 Model A Ford with rumble seat. He was very active in the Ephrata community and was a “people person”. He was preceded in death by his wife, Pauline in June 2002, his parents, 1 brother and three sisters, and a very special friend, Betty Swisher in August 2012. He is survived by his daughter, Rose and husband Kenneth Fortner of Ephrata; granddaughter Felicea and husband Robert Barr of Wenatchee; grandson Kristofer Fortner; great-grandsons: Gavin and Avery Fortner all of Ephrata, brother-in-law Don Rottle of Auburn, and many nieces and nephews. There will be a visitation held at Nicoles Funeral Home on Thursday, May 9th and Friday, May 10th from 2-4pm. Vigil will be at 7:00 pm Friday, May 10, 2013 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 323 D St SW, Ephrata and Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 am Saturday, May 11, 2013 with graveside service to follow at the Ephrata Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to: Lion’s Club Eye Bank, c/o PO Box 486, Ephrata, WA 98823, or your preferred charity. Please express your thoughts and memories while visiting the online guestbook at nicolesfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Nicoles Funeral Home of Ephrata, WA.

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Joseph Malaspino

May 4, 1919 - May 5, 2013