Joseph Giradot

Joseph Girardot

It is with profound sadness to share the sudden death of Joseph Girardot of St. Simons Island, Georgia. Joe was a beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, business partner and friend.

Joe came from a "Coca-Cola family," and moved around the country with his family as his father took on new assignments as a Coca-Cola Co. scientist, eventually settling at the company headquarters, in Atlanta. It was there that Joe completed his undergraduate and graduate law school studies, founded his own successful law practice and raised his family. Joe was one of the most knowledgeable real estate attorneys in Georgia, helping his clients' businesses flourish, and was recognized for contributions to his community through numerous awards for his pro-bono work.

In 2020, Joe stepped away from his law practice, and started a new chapter with his beloved wife Paige on St. Simons Island, where they enjoyed traveling and watching sunsets from their balcony. He became quite the Renaissance man, learning the piano, becoming an amateur astronomer, picking up a passion for pickle ball, embracing his love of history by becoming a certified historical walking tour guide in Savannah, giving docent tours of historic Christ Church Frederica and volunteering at the Jekyll Island Foundation. Joe's life was enriched by many introductions into the St. Simons community by his friend Richard Hathaway, who brought him into the cerebral folds of his book club, men's lunch group and photography club, not to mention sharing many new friends.

Joe passed away suddenly while hiking with his wife in Iceland. He embraced each day as an opportunity to appreciate the outdoors, whether cycling across Georgia, backpacking and rafting the Grand Canyon, exploring glaciers in Switzerland, or just running his cherished dog Phoebe along the marsh. Joe's passion for the outdoors lives on in his children. He will be remembered for his strong morals, curiosity, sense of humor and quick wit.

Joe is survived by his wife, Paige; his two sons, Preston and Bennett, both of Atlanta; and his daughter, Madeleine of Abilene, Texas; as well as brothers, Norman (Diane) of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Jim (Nancy) of Atlanta and Steven (Diane) of Seaside, Florida; sister-in-law, Elyse Defoor (Bob); and many nephews, nieces, and grand-nephews and grand-nieces.

A memorial service will be held for Joe at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, at Christ Church Frederica, on St. Simons Island, with a reception in the church parish hall to follow.

In lieu of flowers, Joe's love of the natural world can be honored with a donation to No Kill Glynn County, https://www.nokillglynn county.org/ways-to-give.html; Christ Church Frederica, https://on realm.org/ccfssi/-/form/give/now or the Georgia Conservancy, https://georgiaconservancy.org/give/.

Family-placed obituary

The Brunswick News, August 14, 2025