Joseph S. Sico

Joseph Stephen Sico, 80, of Kensington, N.H., formerly of East Cambridge and Amesbury, MA, passed away Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at home surrounded by his loving family.

Mr. Sico was the devoted husband of Joanne (Quinn) Sico, with whom he shared 59 wonderful years of marriage.

Mr. Sico was born in Boston, March 12, 1945, the youngest of nine children of the late Pasquale and Margaritte M. (Aufiero) Sico. He attended the Putnam School in Cambridge and graduated from Cambridge Latin High School in 1963, holding the title of class president.

He proudly served three years in the U.S. Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton, Calif., as a field music drummer, retiring in 1969 with the rank of corporal.

A lifelong lover of music, Mr. Sico for several years was an active member of the drum line and later a drum corps instructor for the St. Mary’s Annunciators of Cambridge, Cambridge Caballeros Drum & Bugle Corps as well as drum corps in California during his military service. He enjoyed traveling to drum corps competitions across the country in later years.

For many years, Mr. Sico, alongside his brother Francis, co-owned and operated Sico’s Express, a Cambridge-based moving and furniture refinishing company founded by his father that continues today under the leadership of his sons Pasquale and Joseph.

Raised in the Italian Catholic tradition, he was a devoted parishioner and longtime lector at St. Joseph’s Church in Amesbury for many years, where he and his wife also spearheaded the parish’s annual Italian Night fundraising dinner.

Cooking was among his great passions, and he took enormous pleasure in hosting bountiful family dinners on Sundays, holidays and virtually any day of the week when family or friends stopped by for a visit. In the late-1980s, he and his wife, Joanne, operated Pasquale’s Pasta Shop in downtown Amesbury, where he shared his array of homemade Italian specialties with the community.

Mr. Sico was a skilled master craftsman with meticulous attention to detail, a devout fan of the New England Patriots, and a music enthusiast with a special love for the sound of big bands and marching bands. Above all else, his greatest joy was his family. He cherished his role as Dad and Papa, and treasured time with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchild and extended family, holding them all closest to his heart.

Mr. Sico’s kindness, humor and generous spirit touched everyone who knew him. He will be deeply missed, fondly remembered and forever celebrated by his family, friends and all who were fortunate to make his acquaintance.

In addition to his wife, Joanne, he is survived by four children, Pasquale Sico and his wife, Sonya Vartabedian Sico, of Amesbury, MA; Joseph Sico of Hampton, N.H.; Kathryn Sico and her husband, Jamie Provost, of Merrimac, MA; and James Sico, of Los Angeles, Calif. He also leaves five grandchildren, Shawn Teal and his wife, Molly Teal, of Salisbury, MA; and Isabella DiGennaro, Joseph DiGennaro, Amelia Provost and James Provost, all of Merrimac, MA; and one great-granddaughter, Quinn Teal, all of whom adored their Papa and were his world. He was eagerly anticipating the arrival of his first great-grandson in early 2026.

He is also survived by his sisters- and brother-in-law, Virginia and Gregory O’Keefe, of Stoneham, MA, and Dorothea Quinn, of Salisbury, MA; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sisters Marjorie, Jenny, Autelia “Delia,” Michelina “Mickey” and Theresa; brothers Pasquale, David and Francis; sisters-in-law Catherine Quinn and Patricia Rose, and brothers-in-law William Quinn and William Rose.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mr. Sico’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Highland Chapel of Paul C. Rogers Family Funeral Home, 2 Hillside Ave., Amesbury, MA. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Church of St. André Bessette Parish, 2 School St., Amesbury, MA. A Graveside Burial Service at St. Joseph Cemetery, Amesbury, MA, will take place in the spring.