Our beloved son, Joseph George Stagnaro, passed away at the young age of 17 on Tuesday May 30, 2023 at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, ND.

Joseph George Stagnaro was born February 2, 2006, in Silver Spring, MD, the son of Douglas and Kelly Stagnaro and brother of Oscar Stagnaro.  Joe attended St. Louis Catholic School, Wolford Elementary School, Valley Middle School, and Sacred Heart Catholic School, where he would have started his senior year.

He was our kind, generous, and loving son, a loving brother and best friend to his twin, Oscar, and friend to all.  Joe loved being outside, especially in lakes, oceans, and rivers, waterskiing, taking our dogs to the dog park and driving his truck with his right hand on the wheel and his left arm out the window listening to rap music.  He was a Boy Scout, an honor student and he played basketball and ran track for Sacred Heart.

Joe was always very observant.  He noticed little things that most others missed.  Once, walking around Baltimore, MD during the summer when he was only four years old he saw a heavily tattooed and pierced man, with a bandana on his head, shirtless and in an open vest, and said, "Mommy, why is that man dressed like a pirate?"  The man laughed.

Joe was adventurous and daring.  When he and his brother, Oscar, as toddlers, slid down a muddy hill on our property after a rain by accident they climbed straight back up to the top to slide again and again.

Joe would always seek out the biggest wave when at the beach.  He started jumping on the trampoline as soon as he could walk.  He and Oscar would have flip contests to see who could land the most flips.  Including, flips over our St. Bernard dog, Lilikoi. Because of his love of animals, Joe wanted to become a veterinarian.

He was a giving boy.  When he would get a fish on - hana pa'a! - when fishing, he would offer his rod to others who had yet to catch a fish, saying, "It's your turn".

Joe's favorite movies were Guardians of The Galaxy and Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure.  Joe's favorite TV shows were Avator, Star Wars Rebels, Adventure Time, Regular Show, Gravity Falls, Stranger Things, Sweet Tooth, Family Guy, Breaking Bad, Ted Lasso, and Dr. Who with Matt Smith - because bow ties are cool.  He like rap music.  Especially the music of Travis Scott and 50 cent.  His favorite games were Pig Town, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Chess, Monopoly, Risk, The Game of Life, and Betrayal at the House on the Hill.  The longer the game, the better.

Joe loved to travel and go camping with his family.  He enjoyed time with his cousins whenever it could be arranged.  He was his brother's confidant and best friend.  They shared a room and would stay up every night talking before going to sleep.

He is survived by his parents Kelly and Douglas, his brother Oscar, uncles Joey Stagnaro and Kenney Stagnaro, aunts Melissa Stagnaro and Rennie Stagnaro, grandparents Ann and Thomas Stagnaro, and his Great Uncles Robert "Bo" Newton and Terry Kramer.  He is also survived by a vast number of cousins in North Dakota, California and Hawaii.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents Joseph and Carol Stagnaro and cousin Zachary Stagnaro.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute memorials to:

Sacred Heart School
Attn: Joseph Stagnaro Scholarship Fund
200 Third St, NW  East Grand Forks, MN 56721

Funds will be used to establish a student scholarship celebrating Joe's life.

Joe's family wish to thank the Sanford Fargo Pediatric Intensivists, and the amazing PICU nurses and respiratory therapists.  We also wish to thank the Altru Paramedics, Grand Forks Fire Department, and Grand Forks Police department who were all at Joe's side in the manner of minutes.  The Altru ER, Altru flight team and the Sanford ER did everything they could for our Joe.  Lastly, we would like to thank the Sacred Heart Community, Joe's friends and their families, and all who have given such an outpouring of love and support to us and our Joe.

We will forever miss our Joe and for Joe we would ask that you: be curious, not judgmental and be excellent to each other.

Celebration of Life and Graveside Ceremony: 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at Holy Cross Cemetery in Santa Cruz, CA.

Mass of the Christian Burial: Was celebrated on  Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Michael's Catholic Church in Grand Forks, ND.