Joseph J. Perez

GRANITEVILLE - Joseph John Perez, 87, passed away peacefully on Jan. 5, 2018, at Woodridge Rehabilitation & Nursing Home in Berlin.
Born on Jan. 20, 1930, he was the youngest of seven children born to Jose and Almerida (Lastra) Perez, immigrants from Spain who arrived in the United States through Ellis Island in the early-1900s.
Joe grew up in the North End of Barre and graduated from Spaulding High School. He enlisted in the Navy and served on a destroyer during the Korean War.
After he was honorably discharged from the Navy, Joe married Doris Ann Letter on June 19, 1954, and made their home in Graniteville. He worked both as a rural mail carrier for the Graniteville post office and as a pressman at Capital City Press. Joe took his work experience as a pressman and started Perez Litho, the small printing business he and Doris ran for many years.
In his younger years, he enjoyed shooting hoops with his children, playing pool, hunting with his friends, ice-fishing with his brother and playing cards. He took great pleasure in going to auctions, collecting old clocks and tinkering with some new-found treasure.
After retiring, both he and Doris spent the winter months at their home in Ormond Beach, Florida. They also enjoyed traveling in their motor home.
Joe celebrated 63 years of marriage to Doris in June 2017. Doris predeceased him in October 2017.
Joe is survived by his daughter, Jodie Lafaille and husband Gary; his son, Joseph Jr. and wife Meg; his daughter, Melissa Houle; and his youngest son, Greg and wife Brandy. He also leaves his grandchildren Koren Coughlin and husband Dave, Carri Ferrari and partner John Carton, Danielle Lafaille and husband Michael Grady, Alex Perez, Andrew Perez, Heather Houle, Sophia Perez, Jason Perez, Julia Perez; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Joe is also survived by his sister, Regina "Lola" Perez, of Barre, and his sister, Esperanza "Titi" Ozanne, of Virginia. He was predeceased by his brother, Louis Perez and wife Albina "Bina" Perez; sisters Carmen Lopez, Tomasa Remele and Almerida "Tiny" Pirie and husband Robert Pirie.
We would like to thank the nurses and staff at Woodridge for the excellent care they provided to Joe.
There will be no calling hours. An announcement will be made at a later date for a graveside service in the spring.
Arrangements are in the care of the Pruneau-Polli Funeral Home, 58 Summer Street, Barre, Vermont.
Those wishing to express online condolences may do so at: www.pruneaupollifuneralhome.com.