Capt. Joseph "Joe" Deich

Capt. Joseph "Joe" Deich, 76, of Stokesdale, NC, passed away peacefully on May 20, 2025, with his family by his side in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Joe was born on September 26, 1948, in New York City, New York, to Virginia Ann Deich and Otto Deich. In 1971 he graduated from Methodist College with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Political Science.
Joe went to work for the Greensboro Police Department in January 1972. His first assignment was as an undercover narcotics officer; he then became a patrol officer and a coach for new recruits. Joe was commissioned in 1994 as Sergeant and assigned to the patrol division special operations, as head of crash reconstruction, the water recovery team, parking enforcement and the mobile command unit. In 1998 Joe lead the gang task force and was a part of the State Emergency Response Team. He retired from the Greensboro Police Department in 2001. In 2006 Joe joined the Rockingham County Sheriff's Department as a sworn reserve officer, assisting in lake patrol and underwater recovery until 2023. Joe followed his passion and started Atlantis Underwater Services in 1996.
Joe was an active member of the Palestine Methodist Church and served on the board directors.
Joe was a Master Mason and a member of the Oriental Shrine Club, and he was the Drum Major for the Oriental Band. He was also a member of the Oasis Temple, the Gate City Lodge, the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry all in Greensboro, NC, the Rockingham Shrine Club in NC, and the Ben Hur Shrine Club in Austin, TX. He was an active member of the American Legion. Joe was also a licensed US Merchant Marine Officer.
Joe was an avid diver and enjoyed shooting guns in his spare time. Joe loved to travel and achieved his goal of visiting every continent on Earth. He was also a lifelong Yankees fan. Joe's love for baseball began in childhood, playing baseball and attending Yankees' games in his Little League uniform.
Joe is survived by his loving wife, Regina "Gina" Schroeder Deich, daughter Gertrude "Trudy" Deich, stepdaughters Leigh Munsey, Jamie (husband Matt) Sorrentino, Tiffany Schroeder, stepsons, Matthew Schroeder and Brandon Schroeder, sisters Claudia Deich, Deborah Bernardini, Leslie Deich and Denise Adorante, grandchildren, Charolette Munsey, Walker Munsey, Stella Sorrentino and Reed Sorrentino, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Joe is predeceased by his parents, his sisters Joyce Evans and Janice Parker, and brother David Deich.
A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at Emmaus Catholic Church, 1718 Lohmans Crossing Road, Lakeway, Texas. Graveside services will follow the mass at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery at 2800 Hancock Drive Austin, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make memorial contributions to the American Heart Association.
Friends and family may sign the guestbook online at www.harrellfuneralhomes.com