Joseph Peter Paglino

Joseph Peter Paglino, 95, went home to the Lord to join his beloved wife Frances in heaven, on November 6, 2024. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by family at home in Pembroke Pines, FL. He is survived by his children Perry, David, Doria, and Susan. He is also survived by sisters-in-law Carol Paglino, Joanne Paglino, and Connie Welch; many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends all whom he cherished.

He was born “Giuseppe” on July 9, 1929, in Brooklyn, NY to Sicilian Italian immigrants, Castrenze and Girolama (Donato) Paglino, the eldest child of four including two brothers and a sister.

Joe remembered his humble beginnings as a perfect childhood in a peaceful world with no wars. Cherished childhood memories were of trips to Coney Island, family gatherings, exploring and playing in the neighborhood, and the best family feasts with homemade pastas, Italian breads, and home-grown vegetables. Life was good.

Then came the Depression. Joe’s ambitious spirit began as a child as he found ways to help the family by shining shoes and buying hot pretzels and grocery bags and selling them for profit. With the support of friends, neighbors, and extended family they overcame it and continued to share good times.

After attending P.S. 123 then high school in Brooklyn, he graduated from City College of New York, Bernard M Baruch School of Civic and Business with a degree in business administration. While in college he was the President of the Newman Club, a Catholic organization and President of fraternity Theta Kappa Phi, where he met lifelong friends.

He served in the Army Reserves during his last 3 years of college then served in the United States Army as a Sergeant in the Counter Intelligence Corps in Baltimore, Maryland.

Upon leaving the military, in 1957 Joe headed south to Miami where he met his wife Frances whom he married in 1959. They settled in Miami then moved to Pembroke Pines, FL. Joe and Fran were blessed with a 60-year marriage and had a bustling household of four children born one year apart.

In Miami, Joe began a career spanning decades as a screen enclosure engineer, designing and selling screen enclosures for Aluma Screen Corp. and Climatrol Screen Enclosures. An occupation he had a mind for where he enjoyed being outdoors while following the growth of Miami.

The screen business allowed him to meet interesting and famous people and be involved with notable projects including Fairchild Tropical Garden in Miami and Butterfly World in Coconut Creek of which he was very proud.

His passion and interest in real estate investments motivated him to obtain his real estate license where he worked as a broker/salesman until the age of 93. He took risks and achieved success owning and managing his investments.

Joe and Fran became avid fans of the Miami Dolphins in the 80’s when their daughter was involved with the organization. They became season ticket holders and never missed a game for four seasons and attended Super Bowls XVII and XIX in California.

Joe’s hobbies included following the stock market and reading to learn anything that would increase his knowledge. Joe relished spending time with family and friends on vacations, holidays, and celebratory events. Special highlights were the annual gatherings with college and Army friends of over 70 years.

He always enjoyed telling a good joke or story from his past. Joe was the go-to for family and friends seeking advice on real estate, the stock market, investing and estate planning. All who knew Joe were touched by his kindness, wisdom, and mild temperament.

Joe was old school, an industrious worker who lived a solid, conservative life with good family values of decency, honor and pride. He was a wonderful father and husband who prioritized contributing to the well-being of his family and those less fortunate. A generous and compassionate man, Joe was admired, respected, and loved by many. His faith was important to him, and he attended mass weekly as a dedicated member of St Maximillian Kolbe Catholic Church in Pembroke Pines.

Joe will be missed, but we take comfort in knowing that he is now at peace, reunited with his beloved wife Fran and surrounded by light.

He was predeceased by his loving wife Frances (Zwolinksi) Paglino, parents Castrenze and Girolama, brothers Vincent Paglino and Frank Paglino, sister Josephine Paglino, several sisters and brothers-in-law and many close cousins.

The family wishes to thank Joe’s wonderful caregivers, Jessy, Veronica, Suzelie, Marie, Carol and Stacy who cared so lovingly for Joe in his final years.

Visitation will be at Forest Lawn Funeral Home 2401 SW 64th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33317, on Sunday, November 17th from 3-6 pm.

A funeral mass is scheduled on Monday November 18th at 9:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church 22094 Lyons Road, Boca Raton, and Interment at 1:30 p.m. at the South Florida National Cemetery in Lake Worth, FL.

Memorial donations may be made to Smile Train, Doctors without Borders, or Catholic Hospice.