Giuseppe Attilio 'Joseph' Beretta

G A Beretta was born in Campobasso, Italy, in 1893.

In 1916, he migrated to the USA, leaving two brothers and three sisters in Italy.

Beretta was ordained in 1920 and for 30 years served as pastor of the Pentecostal Christian Assembly Churches in Solvay and Syracuse. In Solvay, he long supported himself and his family through carpentry.

On 21 Oct 1924 he married Francesca nee Spensieri (b. 1893, Cercepiccola, Campobasso, Italy). The daughter of Domenico Spensieri of Cercepiccola, Frances' cousin Maddalena Spensieri Opera was already resident in Cortland, NY, where she migrated on the SS America in 1921 with her son to rejoin her husband, Serafino Opera (1884, Ferrazzano, CB - 1957, Solvay, NY). Together Giuseppe and Frances had two sons, Joseph Mario Beretta, Jr (31 March 1931, Solvay, NY-27 Oct 2019, Moorestown, NJ; m. Patricia Capeci, who also held credentials with the AGUSA), who became pastor of the Christian Assembly Church of Pittsfield, MA and the Rev John L Beretta (b. 9 December 1925 - 7 March 2015, m. Rachael Capeci), pastor of the Christian Assembly Church at Mechanicsville, PA. They settled in Solvay at 232 Darrow Avenue, before later moving to Case St.

During his ministry he founded and for many years ran Voice of the Italian Church of the Air and broadcast programs from Syracuse and Albany.

In 1953 he retired and in 1956 moved to Pittsfield, MA, where he lived with his son Joseph. He left behind four grandchildren.

The service was run by James Tarolli, Dean of Pinecrest Bible College.

Sources:

The Post Standard, Syracuse, NY - Apr 15, 1960