Buffalo State and Buffalo State Athletics are saddened by the loss of Buffalo State Athletics Hall of Fame member Joseph LoTempio. LoTempio passed away during the holiday season at the age of 81.

LoTempio is longtime supporter of Buffalo State and the athletic department. During his time as a Bengal, LoTempio played basketball and tennis, and was inducted into the Buffalo State Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005. LoTempio was a lifetime member of the Bengal Club and was a consistent major contributor, donor, and participant for the Bengal Club's Golf Classic fundraiser.

Known in the Western New York community as 'JoLo', he graduated from Lafayette High School in 1962, where he was all-high in basketball, football, and tennis, and was later inducted into Lafayette's Athletic Hall of Fame.

After graduation from Buffalo State, he became a teacher at Father Baker School in Lackawanna and later served 10 years as the school's principal. As he entered the financial services industry in 1978, LoTempio remained on the board of directors for Father Baker School for 16 years.

He is survived by his four loving children, three grandchildren and his brother and sister. A service will take place on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 11 a.m. at Randall Baptist Church, 6301 Main St., Williamsville. Family will receive visitors before the service, beginning at 10 a.m.