PORTLAND — Joseph James Giusti Sr., 52, of Portland, died at his home May 16.

He was born in Portland on Aug. 29, 1960, the son of Mary Giusti and Santino Giusti Jr.. He grew up in Portland, attending Portland schools. He was baptized at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, where he also received his First Communion.

Giusti was also a part of the Boy Scouts  and while he was at Portland High School, he was part of The Bronzies.

Giusti worked at Barber Foods, Crosby-Laughlin, the Arnie Hanson Center, Portland Post Office and Jordan Meats and was was part of the International Steel Workers Union. He really enjoyed driving fork lifts.

His hobbies and interests included music, especially Aerosmith, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Matchbox 20 and Garth Brooks. He loved playing the guitar, fishing, drawing, history, especially the Civil War era and Italian heritage. He also loved antiques, miniatures, movies and TV shows such as” The Godfather,” “Scarface,” “Gladiator,” “Shawshank Redemption,” “The Sopranos,” “Big Bang Theory,” “The Walking Dead,” “Gilligan’s Island,” “Deadwood” and The Three Stooges.

He also loved reading. Some of the books he enjoyed were The Bible, “Lord of the Rings,” “The Hobbit” and “The Hunt for Red October.”

Giusti was predeaseased by his parents.

He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Diane L. Giusti; his five children, Courtney Giusti-Welsh, Joseph J. Giusti Jr., Jonathan M. Giusti, Josiah D. Giusti, and Samantha L Giusti; his son-in-law, Cody Welsh; grandchildren Dominic M. Welsh, Eli J. Welsh and Rose M. Call. He is also survived by his six siblings, John Giusti, and his wife, Judie, Santino Giusti Jr., Irene Esposito, and her husband, Richard, Nicholas Giusti, and his wife, Joanna, Paul Giusti, and Mary Jo Sawari, and her husband, Abdul; his mother-in-law, Sharon Peacock; his sisters-in-law, Deborah Sparks, and her husband, Jeff, Denise Cram; and brother-in-law Lawrence Peacock, and his wife, Charlene, along with many other nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, extended family friends and loved ones.

The family is thankful to anyone who helped before and during this time.

Giusti will be loved and missed by many and the things he taught will never be forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

A memorial mass was held Friday.