Joseph Emilio Licciardone Hero Foundation (JELHF) - A Celebration of Life in Others

The Joseph Emilio Licciardone Hero Foundation was founded in 2018 to perpetuate Joseph’s passions and love of life by enabling students, who would not otherwise be able to thrive in education, sports and music. These philanthropic efforts aid performing arts, soccer, and STEM scholastic programs plus offer scholarships to engineering students.

Joseph Emilio Licciardone passed away on March 14, 2016, from injuries
sustained in a boating incident caused by an intoxicated driver. His friends and family were by his side when he drifted off to be with the Lord. Born to Connie and Leo Licciardone of Hawthorne, he attended American Martyrs School and Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach and was nearing completion of his Mechanical Engineering studies at Cal State Fullerton.

Joe, as he was affectionately called by friends, was a genuinely happy and kind person passionate about soccer, playing drums for friends, grooving to alternative rock music, hanging out at the beach, and developing deep and lasting friendships. His wit and ready smile touched many wherever he went. In college he was excited about a limitless future applying his fast-developing engineering skills in a manner that would better the world at large.

His kindness lives on in our hearts as well as those whose lives he extended by donating his organs. As a registered donor, five people now wake up with the hope of living quality lives with their loved ones and others have improved sight, skin revived, and facial bones restored.

Joseph is survived by his parents and siblings Vincent, Brian (Rosie), Nicole (Ron) and Marie (Chris). Though very young at the time, his many nieces and nephews recall how engaged and playful he was with them.