Joseph L. Barcelo

Joe was born in New York City in 1927 and grew up in Elmhurst, New York. After high school, at the outbreak of World War 2, Joe enlisted in the Navy. He trained as a medic and was assigned to the Marines as a corpsman.

He was to be part of the Japan invasion force, but fate intervened with the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings.  His assignment changed and he ran a field hospital in Kyushu, Japan.

When his service ended in 1947 he returned to his normal life in Ozone Park, Queens, New York.  He married and was a proud father to two sons, Joseph and Steven and a daughter, Katrina.

Joe had a working career ranging from machinist, assembling printing presses the size of subway cars, to nuclear medicine technologist to medical researcher.  He assisted the team of doctors that developed nuclear medicine imaging.

After he retired in 1969, Joe joined the U S Coast Guard Auxiliary.  His special interest was boating safety, and after a time Joe rose through the ranks and served as a National Staff Officer for Vessel Examination, achieving the rank of Captain.

In 2005, Joe and his second wife Cheryl moved from their home in Forked River, New Jersey to Hudson, Florida.  Joe became an avid woodworker and set up a complete workshop in the garage. He designed and made many projects from art objects to practical items.

Joe was a man of many interests, always ready to take on a challenge. He made a difference in many peoples’ lives.  He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

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