Joseph Covolo Jr.

1939 - 2024

Joseph Covolo Jr.

May 10, 1939 - August 8, 2024

Joseph Covolo, Jr., 85, of Midlothian, Virginia passed away August 8, 2024. He was preceded in death by his parents, Angelina and Joseph Covolo, Sr.; infant brother, Francis; and sister, Clementina Hightower. He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline; his daughter, Stephanie Hancock (Russ); son, Stephen Price; and grandchildren, Madison and R.J. Hancock and Gavin Price; his brother, Michael Covolo; sister, Angelina Miller; many nieces and nephews and extended family members. The family would also like to give special thanks to Danielle Cormier for the loving care she gave to Joe.

Born at Fort Monroe, VA, his 39-year military career included 8 years of active duty in the U.S. Air Force, followed by service in the Air Force Reserve, the Army Reserve, and the Army National Guard, where he retired as a Master Sergeant.

His newspaper career began in the Air Force, and after discharge he went on to civilian newspapers for 15 years and finished his career as editor of the Sussex-Surry Dispatch in Wakefield, VA.

A 30-year Girl Scout volunteer, he served with his daughter, Stephanie, and later as her assistant troop leader and a Commonwealth Girl Scout Council Trainer.

Beginning in 1997, he served on numerous medical missions with Richmond District UMC Missions and The Friends of Barnabas Foundation, working with malnourished children in Honduras where he got the nickname "Papa Joe" – a name he cherished for the rest of his life.

In 2013, he was inducted into the Chesterfield County Senior Hall of Fame for his work with reading programs in Chesterfield County.

After retiring in 2000, he began as a volunteer at Clover Hill Elementary School and worked with the children there for 11 years as a reading mentor/tutor for kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade students. His greatest joy was working with the children and watching their reading skills improve throughout the school year. He felt it was truly a blessing to have had the opportunity to work with the children, teachers, and staff at CHES.

He loved life, his family, his pets over the years – Lassie, Peaches, Abby and Annie, and his Brandermill Church family. He found satisfaction and joy in sharing his time and efforts helping others in need – friends and strangers alike. An avid reader, he had a life-long love of history.

A celebration of his life will be held at The Brandermill Church on Saturday, August 17, 2024, with visitation from 1:00-3:00 pm; funeral service at 3:00 followed by a reception at the church. Interment will be at a later date at The Veterans Cemetery in Amelia, Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to The Brandermill Church Missions Outreach programs.

Bennett Funeral Homes

Chesterfield Chapel