Joe S. DelVecchio

Joseph "Joe" Stanley DelVecchio, 43, of West Haven, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on July 7, 2025, in Norfolk, Virginia, surrounded by his loving family.
Joseph was the beloved son of Nancy Stanley DelVecchio and the late John DelVecchio, born and raised in Bridgeport, CT, where only the strong thrive, and thrive is what Joseph did.
Joseph graduated from Notre Dame Catholic High School, where he holds the record of the most epic parties ever thrown, and pulled daredevil stunts that today's TikTokers could not even imagine. In high school, Joseph was as quick to take a road trip to nowhere on a moment's notice, as he was to walk off a field in protest of unfair preferential treatment by coaches. Joseph lived his life to the fullest and on his terms, and he demonstrated early on that he would not bend to authority if he believed the authority was in the wrong.
After high school, Joseph served his country for several years in the U.S. Marine Corps. He quickly received two meritorious promotions and while based in Okinawa, was responsible for, among other things, escorting all VIPs who visited the base. Joseph just had that personality that he could get along with anyone and everyone, regardless of rank or role, and every excursion with him was one to be remembered forever. The time during which Joseph was a Marine, was of imperative importance to him, and he was quite proud of his service to his country.
Joseph's willingness to challenge authority led to a career change and he found his way to the field of construction. Always a quick learner, he quickly found himself working on projects of increasing difficulty and complexity. While he found pride and joy in creating and building, he had not yet found his calling, which led to another career change.
The next step in Joseph's journey led him to St. Raphael Hospital. It was in this line of work that Joseph found his calling, helping people in their time of need. After several years at St. Ray's, Joseph transferred to Yale New Haven Emergency Room, where his true passion was realized, and where he worked for well over a decade.
Joseph dedicated himself and took great pride in caring for others. Several weeks before his passing, when he was a patient in the hospital himself, his nurse said that she had heard he was smart enough to have been a doctor. His response was that he did not want to be a doctor because what he valued most was interacting with and serving his patients. He has countless stories about how he would go above and beyond to do whatever needed to be done for his patients, sometimes coloring outside the lines, and wearing different colored scrubs to achieve his missions. There are people who are walking this earth today, because he was part of their care team when they were at their lowest most vulnerable point.
Joseph's other favorite thing about his job was his colleagues. He worked side by side in the direst of circumstances with countless techs, nurses, and doctors, with whom he shared a bond that only that level of trauma, triumph, and tragedy could create. Joseph was funny, sarcastic, fearless, meticulous, a mentor, quick witted, stubborn, articulate, hardworking, spiritual, deep, idiosyncratic, thoughtful, compassionate, loyal, family-oriented, valiant, courageous, empathetic, full of fortitude, an active listener, a devout friend and brother, and a true ride-or-die.
Joseph was selfless enough to provide his family and friends with the gift of time, attention, honest communication, and as much understanding as he could this year. While there are so many memories over our lifetimes to choose from, one of my (Joseph's sister) favorites will always be the endless hours I sat with him over the last several months, he in his chair, holding his vape, and us laughing hysterically at a story of our own making, with his country music playing in the background. It was never going to be easy, that was not Joseph's way, but he made it as easy as he could. I will forever be grateful for our time together, and our understanding and acceptance of each other. He was after all, my favorite person in the world.
Joseph is survived by his mother, Nancy DelVecchio; his sister, Maria Burroughs; brother-in-law, Michael Burroughs; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and colleagues who love him dearly.
Joseph's family finds comfort in knowing he touched so many lives. He was a unique soul that will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.
In accordance with Joseph's wishes, we will not be holding a memorial. His family will host a Celebration of Life in the coming months, likely at or near Joseph's home in West Haven, CT towards the end of the summer. All will be invited and details will be shared once they are available in the coming weeks. Maria Del Vecchio Burroughs can be contacted either on Facebook or via text at 203-673-4160 for more information.
Cremation and Funeral Services of Tidewater is handling the arrangements.