Col. Joshua Paul Camara

Col. Joshua Paul Camara, 45, husband of Angela (Wright) Camara, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024. Born in Fall River, Massachusetts, he was a resident of Providence, Rhode Island, until 2002 when he began his career as a U.S. Army officer. He was a son of Paul and Susan (Kershaw) Camara, and brother of Jacob Matthew Camara (wife, Margaret Fasano), John Paul Camara (wife, Nicole Peloquin) and Anne Mary (Camara) Jaehnig (husband, Aaron). He was also the loving stepfather of Clairanne and Holly Moncur.

As a youth, Josh attended St. Augustine elementary school, and Lasalle Academy before pursuing a Bachelor of Science from Rhode Island College and a Master of Arts from Webster University.

Joshua served his country for 22 years as an active-duty officer in the U.S. Army after earning his commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Providence College (Patriot Battalion) in May 2002. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant and continued to advance through the ranks of first lieutenant, captain, major, lieutenant colonel and colonel. He initially began his military career as a Signal Corps officer leading a biological weapons surveillance platoon for the 83rd Chemical Battalion at Fort Johnson, Louisiana, before transitioning to the Military Police Corps in 2006. He deployed to Iraq in 2007 with the 1st Infantry Division Brigade Combat Team where he served on the National Police Transition Team mentoring and coaching Iraqi brigade-level staff during combat operations.

After arriving at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, Josh deployed to Columbia to work as part of the U.S. Military Group at the U.S. Embassy coordinating relations between Columbian military and U.S. Naval forces to plan Operation Continuing Promise, the largest annual combined, joint humanitarian mission in South America.

During the remainder of his time at Fort Huachuca, Josh found his calling as a Public Affairs officer telling the Army story alongside his wife, Angie. His initial public affairs assignments included Deputy Chief of Public Affairs for U.S. Army Alaska; Deputy Plans Chief at the Office of the Chief of Public Affairs at the Pentagon; the Battalion Executive Officer for the 24th Press Camp Headquarters at Fort Bliss, Texas, where he deployed in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve in Germany; and returned to Fort Bliss as the Deputy Division PAO for the 1st Armored Division.

Josh completed a training with Industry fellowship with USAA in San Antonio, Texas, before heading to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where he served as the Chief of Public Affairs for the Combined Arms Center before his final deployment.

At the time of his death, Col. Camara was serving as the Deputy Director of Public Affairs for V Corps Forward Headquarters at Camp Kosciusko in Poznan, Poland.

His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2), Army Commendation Medal (4), Army Achievement Medal (2), National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal (2), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (3), Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Combat Action Badge, Army Staff Identification Badge, and Overseas Service Bar (2).

Josh loved his family and would do anything for them. He was generous, kind, and had a wonderful and unique sense of humor. He was always ready for an excursion to the local ice cream shop, sushi restaurant or steak house, and loved sharing these experiences with others (often, convincing you to share whatever you were having). Throughout his life, Josh was a voracious reader and was continuously reading or listening to books. Early in life, Josh was an outstanding author winning several awards. He is well-remembered by his friends as being kind, compassionate, protective and a great friend. He was also very supportive of the men and women under his command and is appreciated by them. He was an outstanding leader and mentor; his staff will remember his legacy and the impact he had on them.

He is survived by his loving wife, his stepdaughters, his father and mother, two brothers, two sisters-in-law, his sister and brother-in-law, six nephews (Dylan, Eli, Isaiah, Scout, Henry and Rowan), and three nieces (Lucy, Olivia and Lillian).

Visitation for Col. Camara will be held Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Russell J. Boyle & Son Funeral Home, 331 Smith St., Providence, Rhode Island. Funeral services are Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, at 9:45 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in St. Augustine’s Church, 639 Mt. Pleasant Ave., Providence, Rhode Island. Burial will take place at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 550 Wampanoag Trail, Riverside, Rhode Island.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Endowment for the Arts’ Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience in partnership with the Department of Defense to support creative arts therapies for service members and veterans in military medical facilities. Donations can be made online at Pay.gov - Support the Arts - Complete Agency Form and selecting “Operation Homecoming.”