Joseph "Joe" M. Spina Jr. was born April 26, 1945 to Joseph and Eleanor Spina in Brooklyn, NY.  He attended Archbishop Molloy High School and St John's University. A talented musician and lover of music, he formed the band, The Encores, at the age of 16 with his best friend Charlie. In 1966, he served with his brother, Vincent "Vinnie" C. Spina, in the U.S. Naval Air Reserve.  In 1968, he married Elizabeth Santucci and had three children, Elizabeth, Joseph and Kathryn. In 1979, the Spina family opened their first pizza parlor in Long Island, NY. Always the devoted and loving sons and brothers, Joe and Vinnie followed their retiring parents and beloved sister Kathryn to Tucson, AZ in 1981, moving their families and pizza business.  Working alongside their parents, "Mom" and "Pop", and various family members, Joe and Vinnie built Mama's Famous Pizza & Heros up to a treasured staple of the Tucson community.

Joe was welcomed into the Lord's Kingdom on August 14th, joyously reuniting with his parents and siblings, Vinnie and Kathryn.  His legacy of love, generosity and kindness will continue on through his three children and their families, his many nieces and nephews, and the Mama's staff he so loved.

Memorial services are planned.  Contact family for more information.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the following fund https://gofund.me/68921cc8