Joseph Lidano Rotole

Joseph Lidano Rotole was born July 26, 1940, in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan to Joseph and Antoinette Rotole, who died January 26, 2021, after a fierce battle with coronavirus.

Joe was a graduate of St. Paul Catholic School, attended the University of Notre Dame for one year, enlisted in the Marine Corps from 1960-1962, and followed those experiences with some additional college education at Wayne State University before settling on a career as a manufacturer’s representative. He went on to enjoy 37 years of success as the owner of Industrial Sensors, working as the life and soul of the company until the onset of his illness.

In addition to his career, Joe was a 2004 RNC Monroe County Delegate, a Monroe County Jail Minister for 25 years, an usher and former parishioner of St. Charles Catholic Church, a parishioner of St. Stephen Catholic Church, an avid golfer and amateur hockey player, and enjoyed traveling the world with his wife including a magnificent trip to the Holy Land, Lourdes, and Fatima to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in 2017.

Joe took great pleasure in his career, his hobbies, and in serving his community but his greatest treasures were his deep devotion to his Catholic faith and his family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Cheryl; their children Rebecca (John) Alexander; Theresa (Tom) Theisen; Marianne; Joseph (Lisa); Sarah (Tom) McFarlane; and Molly (Carl) Hildebrandt. He is also known as the much loved and missed Opi to his grandchildren: Caroline, Andrew, William, and Nicholas Alexander; Maria, Laura, Thomas, Emily, and Jacob Theisen; Sophia, Giuliana, and Joey Rotole; Sean and Wyatt McFarlane; and Cam, Aaron, Grant, and Heidi Hildebrandt. In addition, Joe is survived by his brother Laurence (Gwen) and sister Janice (David) Anderson.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 2, 2021, at 11:00 am at St. Charles Catholic Church, Newport, MI, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic only 150 attendees are permitted to attend, masks are required, and social distancing is encouraged, with visitation prior to mass from 10-11 am and the Rosary at 10:45 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joe’s honor to the Missionaries of Charity (Cabot St. Detroit, MI) or Hillsdale College.