Joseph Franklin Reiter

1949 - 2023

Joseph Franklin Reiter, 73, passed away on September 23, 2023, after a courageous battle with angiosarcoma.

Joe was born in Petersburg, Virginia on November 23, 1949 to George and Adele Reiter. He was a beloved father, grandfather, and husband who devoted his life to supporting and caring for his family and loved ones. He was the youngest of four children and grew up on a farm in Dinwiddie, Virginia. After graduating from Dinwiddie High School in 1967, he worked at Chesapeake and Potomac (C&P) Telephone Company where he met his wife of 42 years, Melissa Shopshear Reiter. He was also in the Army Reserves. After working at C&P / Verizon for over 30 years, Joe retired in 2005 and worked as an Electronics Technician at Virginia State University until 2022, when he was too ill to continue working.

Joe is survived by his wife of five years, Patricia Reiter, his children Emily Goddard (John), Amanda Boomershine (Will), Elizabeth Reiter, and Abigail Reiter, his grandchildren Samantha Boomershine, Sofia Boomershine, Luke Goddard, and Henry Goddard, his brother James Reiter (Virginia), his sister Frances Harrison (Herman), a stepdaughter and step grandchildren, along with many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Joe was predeceased by his wife Melissa Reiter, his parents George and Adele Reiter, and his sister Dorris Reiter.

When Joe was not working, he could be found with his wife and children at school and sporting events, working in his yard and garden, taking care of his beloved koi pond, and more recently, caring for his wife Melissa for many years after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. He also loved spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren, appreciated his time with his friends and coworkers from Verizon and VSU, enjoyed playing rummy and poker and fishing, and loved to send out trivia via email and stay up on current events through the news and Jeopardy. He had a gentle spirit, and a witty and silly sense of humor. Joe liked to make people laugh.

A celebration of life will be held at VSU's Gateway Event Center on November 5 at 3pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center where Joe was a participant in a clinical trial for angiosarcoma patients. https://www.support.vcu.edu/give/Massey