Joseph Acerra, Jr., age 79, of Madison, Ohio, passed away Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at home. He was born March 25, 1936 in Long Branch, NJ to Adeline (Santucci) and Joseph Salvatore Acerra, Sr. Joseph married Linda Jeanne Rideout at Toledo, OH on July 30, 1960.

Joseph attended Wintersville High School and graduated from the Ohio State University in 1959. Joseph taught music at Mt. Gilead High School and Madison High School. He retired from the Madison School System in 1990 then taught 4 more years at Notre Dame Cathedral Latin. Joseph, fondly known as “Mr. A”, spent 60 years teaching music to children and adults. He truly made a difference in the lives of so many as not only a teacher of music, but also a teacher of life’s lessons. His mantra was “Leave it better than you found it!” and “Practice, Practice, Practice!”

He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Linda; daughter, Kathryn (Tom Pearson) Acerra; son, Joseph Michael (Diane) Acerra; sister, Annamary Strand; many loved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Agnes Abt.

Friends will be received 2-5 p.m. on Saturday, August 29, 2015 at The Behm Family Funeral Home, 26 River Street, Madison, OH. A Memorial Service will be immediately following at 5:00 p.m. across the street at the Madison Village Square where Rev. William Alvey will officiate with music by the Madison Jazz Project.

Contributions may be made to the Lake County Humane Society, 7564 E Tyler Blvd., Mentor, OH 44060 or Hospice of the Western Reserve, 17876 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH 44110-2602 or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Memphis, TN 38101-9908.