Joseph Wade Armaly

1936 - 2025

Joseph Wade Armaly

November 19, 1936 - April 19, 2025

Miami, Florida - Joseph Wade Armaly, 88, passed away peacefully on April 19, 2025, at home with his family by his side following a short illness. A funeral mass will be held on May 16 at St. Louis Church at 11:30 a.m.

Joe, as he was known to his friends, was born in Miami, Florida on November 19, 1936, to parents Joseph and Nazira (Maroon) Armaly. He was a graduate of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School as well as the University of Miami. While at Sts. Peter and Paul, Joe was known as a gifted athlete and leader, piloting his football team to multiple state championships and picking up All City and All State accolades along the way. He graduated from the University of Miami in under four years and joined his uncle, Hoke Maroon, in the family business of banking. It was there that his true talents for business and leadership began to take root. In 1965, Joe became the youngest bank president in the history of the state of Florida, an honor he received at the tender age of twenty-nine. Under his direction, the bank flourished, and Joe became known as the "bankers' banker." In 1980, he was elected Chairman of the Board of The Florida Commercial Bank Holding Company; a title he held until 1987, when he fought a hostile takeover and ultimately sold the successful company to First Union Banks. It was not long after that Joe made his next and most audacious move: starting a new company. Commercial Bankshares grew and thrived under his extraordinary and visionary leadership. For the almost twenty years that the bank grew, Joe loved being a banker that served not only his neighbors but the shareholders of the company that put their trust in him.

Joe met his beloved wife Margaret (Peggy) through mutual friends. On their first date, he boldly stated that he was going to marry her and a few short years later they became engaged on Christmas Eve after attending midnight mass. They married on June 2, 1962, and they built a beautiful and meaningful life together, raising a family and contributing to various community causes. Their philanthropy was well-known throughout Miami and ultimately their good hearts found a special home in the founding of Children's Resources Education Center (CRF for short), which they helped to create in 1989. Joe served as the finance and building chairman for the school, marrying his business acumen with his desire to help others. To date, CRF has bettered the lives of thousands of children with special needs in the Miami Dade area. The school became their passion project; their generous support, both financially and through their time and talents, allowed the school to grow and thrive.

In their most recent years, Joe and Peggy traveled extensively, enjoying trips abroad. They often visited Holy Sites like Lourdes and the Shrine of Fatima, a place of great spiritual comfort and significance to them. Joe loved his summers in their mountain home in North Carolina; playing golf, taking walks, and enjoying time with friends and family. Golf was a particular passion for Joe; it was a perfect fit for his athleticism and competitive nature, not to mention the mental acuity necessary to be successful at the game. He had multiple holes-in-one, both at the Beech Mountain and Riviera Country Clubs.

Joe is survived by his treasured wife, Peggy and children Mary Ellen Garde (Greg) and Stephen Armaly as well as grandchildren Joseph Garde (Savanna), Grace Garde (Constantine Sarris-Michopoulos) and great grandson, Charles Ward Garde.

Joe will be remembered as a kind and generous man; he was charming, witty, brilliant, and well loved by everyone who knew him. He was a wonderful father, friend, and boss. "Gentleman" was the word most often used to describe him. Joe loved his family fiercely and without reservation. He worked hard and believed that "to whom much is given, much is expected" (Luke 12:48), a principle that guided his long, beautiful, and charitable life. Joe gave of himself; his time and his resources; unabashedly and often anonymously. He required no fanfare but only wanted to do the right thing by his God and Savior. His faith was the guiding force of his life; all his accomplishments were used as testimony for and to the Glory of God. Joe's legacy will be this: he loved his God, his family, and his friends. His passing leaves a hole in our hearts that can never be filled but for the wonderful memories he has left us with.

In lieu of flowers, and in keeping with Joe's philanthropic nature, the family requests donations to Children's Resources Education Center 8571 SW 112 Street Miami Florida 33156.

Friends and family are invited to St. Louis Church, 7270 S.W. 120 St. at 11:30 a.m. for a funeral mass to celebrate the life of Joe. An interment will be held privately for the family.