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JOSEPH V. AGRIFOLIO Ex-boxer `could always make you smile' BY KATHLEEN FORDYCE [email protected]

Joseph V. Agrifolio, a former boxer who relatives say could make anyone laugh, died of heart failure Friday in Inverness. He was 78.

Agrifolio, a father of five, boxed for six years while living in Newark, N.J., said son Mike Agrifolio, a systems editor for The Herald.

Although he was good at swinging his fists in the ring, his son said one of Agrifolio's greatest talents was making people laugh.

He made a lot of little jokes. He wasn't the life of the party; he just always said funny things, Mike Agrifolio said. ``He could always make you smile.

Agrifolio was born Dec. 6, 1925, in Newark, N.J. He began his boxing career at age 17.

Agrifolio -- his boxing name was Joe Griffo -- fought in many matches in Philadelphia, New Jersey and New York, including several in Madison Square Garden.

After boxing for six years, he became a cable splicer for Public Service Electric and Gas.

Agrifolio met his future wife while walking down a New Jersey street. He noticed a woman dressing a mannequin in a store window.

The gown didn't catch Agrifolio's eye but the woman, Erleen Seeley, did.

He just went in and introduced himself, Mike Agrifolio said. ``It was very romantic.

The couple married in 1955 and had five children.

They retired to Inverness, Fla., in 1987 to be close to their two grown sons who had moved down south.

Agrifolio soon fell in love with the Dolphins and became a big fan.

He loved Dan Marino and Don Shula, Mike Agrifolio said.

Two years after moving to Florida, Erleen Agrifolio died.

In addition to his son Mike, Agrifolio is survived by sons John D. Ryder and Joseph V. Agrifolio Jr., daughters, Vikki L. Galasso and Joann Portella; his sister, Vivian LaManna and her husband; best friend, Thomas J. LaManna, and seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.