Joseph Dominick Arcana

Joseph Dominick Arcana (03/19/1931 - 07/14/20)
Joseph Dominick Arcana died peacefully in his sleep following a lengthy illness, he was 89 years old. Born and raised in New Orleans, LA, he graduated from Holy Cross High School where he was enrolled in the Hi-Lites program as a newscaster for WNOE.
Following graduation, he received his Bachelor of Arts in the Colleges of Art & Sciences from Tulane University. While at Tulane, he was a Captain in the ROTC and won a Bridge Tournament where the trophy of he and his teammate remains on display in the sports gallery.
Following graduation, he served overseas in Korea with the United States Army as a Reserve Commissioned Officer rank of Second Lieutenant and then promoted to First Lieutenant. While stationed in Korea, he travelled extensively throughout Southeast Asia aiding refugees and acting as correspondent for the Army’s publication “The Bugle”.
He then went onto invest in real estate and other ventures. For 20 years, he co-owned and managed Glenn’s Restaurant in Metairie where he was typically behind the bar dispensing cocktails, jokes and the occasional bet! Later in life, before his retirement, he managed the Turf Club at the Fairgrounds Racetrack which he described as his dream job. He was an avid sports fan and attended every Super Bowl hosted in New Orleans. Joe had a wonderful, dry sense of humor and could always put a smile on someone’s face. It was that sense of humor and strong business acumen that captured the heart of his late wife, Anita “Bitsy” (nee Thomason), whom he shared a long, beautiful marriage until her death in 2019. While married to Bitsy, they travelled extensively with friends and family. One of their favorite spots was Las Vegas where they attended shows and you could always find him in the Sports Beat. They would also often just get in the car and drive throughout the US where Joe insisted on stopping at every Army base and military monument.
Before various illnesses prohibited them both from continuing their mobility, Joe loved to play cards, travel, patron restaurants, go to the movies, theater, piano bars, and root for any team on TV – especially his beloved Saints and LSU Tigers.
He is survived by his sister, Tena Schilling and her children, Glenn, Jr., Dawn, Danielle, and Kelly, his brother in-law, Herndon “Chuck” Thomason and his wife, Cathy. He also leaves behind his three loving step-children, Michael Barnett (Karen), Adam Barnett and Elisa Barnett. He is predeceased by his parents, Frances (nee LaMarca) and Dominick J. Arcana, his brother in law, Glenn Schilling, his wife, Anita (Bitsy), and a host of lifelong friends and family. We would like to thank all those who extended their heartfelt support and love and a special thank you is due to his daughter in law, Karen, for tenaciously tackling insurance and government paperwork this past year and also becoming his constant best friend! We would also like to thank the entire team of home health aides and especially Ariane “Ari” Miller, who also served as his best buddy. Graveside services for family were private in Greenwood cemetery. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make a contribution to the charity of your choice. Online guestbook at www.greenwoodfh.com

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