Joseph Richard Callo Jr.

Joseph R. Callo Jr. of Lake Mary, Florida passed away peacefully on May 25, 2025 surrounded by family. Born on July 9, 1943, Joseph was the only child of Joseph R. Callo Sr. and Ninetta Tedesco Callo. Joseph was predeceased by his parents, and his wife Roxanna Callo. He is survived by his son Frederick Callo Sr., wife Dusti Callo, his daughter Tiffiny Callo-Hess and his four grandchildren Laynie-Callo McDonell and her spouse Shane McDonell, Noah Hess, Freddie Callo, and Carson Hess. Funeral services will be held on June 6, 2025 at DeGusipe Funeral Home, 9001 Orlando Ave., Maitland, FL 32751.
Joseph grew up in the picturesque apple farming community of Milton, New York located in the heart of the Hudson Valley. Joe's father worked as a foreman for the Hudson River Fruit Distributors located just a few hundred feet west of their home. With little to offer at the time in this rural farming town in terms of local parks or little league baseball fields, during his childhood, Joseph spent many hours playing in the vast fruit orchards of Milton with his two best buddies. When the winter weather blanketed the farms in snow, and the ponds froze over, it was the perfect playground for sledding and ice skating.
As a young boy, Joe was an altar boy at St. James Catholic Church in Milton, New York. During his teenage years, Joseph was the favored babysitter for little Michael Foglia, son of Marie and Angelo Foglio who owned the beloved Ship Lantern Inn Restaurant in Milton. Following his high school graduation from Marlboro High School, Joseph attended Norwich University in Vermont, and later Dutchess Community College, Marist College, and Long Island University. In total he earned his Associate of Applied Science Degree, Bachelor of Science Degree, and a Masters Degree. Joseph also graduated in 1970 from the FBI National Academy Class 113.
Joseph would eventually enter into a career that he loved. In January of 1965, he was hired as a police officer for the City of Poughkeepsie, where he worked for just over a year before joining the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department in March of 1966. After receiving many awards for his law enforcement service, he retired from the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department with twenty years of service.
During his first marriage, Joseph welcomed his only son, a beautiful baby boy named Frederick Joseph Callo, in December of 1969. He would remarry in 1976 to Roxanna McDonald, after being introduced by Roxanna's father, who was the fire chief of the Fairview Fire Department in Poughkeepsie, New York. At the time, Roxanna was a Registered Nurse with the Hudson River Psychiatric Center. In March of 1979, Joe and Roxanna welcomed a darling baby girl, Tiffiny Roxanna Callo, to the family.
Following his retirement for the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department, and Roxanna's retirement as a nurse in the state of New York, Joseph, Roxanna, and Tiffiny headed west to Las Vegas, Nevada where Joe went to work for the Nevada State Gaming Control Board. Joseph would later serve with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department working in ballistics and crime scene investigations before retiring from the State of Nevada. Joe would also serve for four years as a Professor of Criminal Justice at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV). Joe and Roxanna would eventually relocate to the East Coast in central Florida to be closer to family in retirement.
One of Joe's favorite things was telling stories of his days in law enforcement. Some were heartbreaking and many were superbly funny! Many of his former colleagues and law enforcement associates have shared numerous accounts of his service as a police officer, his willingness to mentor others, and his devotion to the job. He truly loved being a police officer. Joseph was also unapologetically patriotic, so much so, that he played a version of a God Bless the USA CD relentlessly in his car.
Joe took great pride in his children and was absolutely devoted to his four grandchildren. Whether through frequent visits or regular phone calls, he stayed closely connected to their lives; always celebrating their achievements, supporting their interests, and encouraging them to value education. His presence and love will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
The family asks that you please consider a donation to the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Benevolent Association in Joseph Callo's memory.
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