Joseph "Joee" Blackwell

1924 - 2006

Joseph "Joee" Blackwell retired US Navy Chief Petty Officer, died on Monday, November 20, 2006 at Brevard Hospice Care Center in Rockledge, Florida. He was born in Lawrence, MA on October 5, 1924, attended St. Pat’s Grammar School and graduated from Central Catholic High School. He joined the US Navy in 1943 and served his country in the Pacific theater. Upon his return from the war he became an East Coast carrier sailor, with stations in Panama and Rota Spain, until his retirement in 1963. Joe and his wife Margaret settled in Nags Head, NC., where they ran the Olde London Inn Motel for twenty one years. After retiring for a second time, he traveled and vacationed in Florida and finally settled at Harbor Isles, Cocoa Beach, until his death.

He was a proud member of the Cocoa Beach Elks Lodge 2387, VFW Post 10148, American Legion Post 348 and the Florida and National Chief Petty Officers Reunion Association. Joe was also a member of the Reunion Association of USS Forrestal, Philippine Sea, Valley Forge Aircraft Carriers and the Aircraft SGDNS, VP-3 and VP-8. He enjoyed life to its fullest, with family and many good friends. Joe made the most of every moment life had to offer, always helping others, and always with a napkin under his drink. He was preceded in death by his mother, Evelyn, his father, Joe Sr., his wife Margaret, and granddaughter Wendi Hall. He is survived by his wonderful daughter, Cherie Turner; grandson, Greg Turner; great grandson, Kyle Bradford and great granddaughter Skye Turner, all of Deltona, FL. He was a member of Our Savior Catholic Church in Cocoa Beach, Florida where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on November 24, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. The family requests donations to the Brevard Hospice or to the Cocoa Beach Elks 2387, in lieu of flowers. Beckman-Williamson Funeral Home is handling the funeral arrangements.