Joe was a tenured Professor of Physical Education and Diving Coach at the United States Naval Academy for 35 years. He was long recognized as one of the top diving coaches in the country of age group National Champions, National Finalists and Olympians.
Joe guided the USNA diving program to produce 12 divers to qualify for 22 NCAA Division I Championship meets. Another 15 divers earned All-American accolades. Joe also coached the 1991 Women’s Division II Champion.
Joseph Suriano was born in 1947 and grew up in Dearborn, Michigan and was the youngest of three children. His father, Carl, worked for General Motors and his mother Frances was a devoted wife and mother who filled their home with loving affection.
Joe adored his older sister, Carolyn, and admired his older brother, Carl, who excelled at tennis, pole vaulting, and diving.
Joe attended Fordson High School and participated in varsity diving and track. He met his wife, Patricia Lane at a swimming pool in 1966. They married 8 years later in 1974.
Joe began diving at the local pools at a young age and graduated with a Bachelors’ Degree from the University of Michigan, where he was coached by Dick Kimball.
A Master’s Degree from Eastern Michigan University followed.
Joe began coaching children in college and that led to a rich career.
Before coming to the USNA, Joe coached at Ann Arbor Swim Club, Houston’s YMCA Dad’s Club, and at Vanderbilt University.
He was the head diving coach at Vanderbilt University from 1972 until 1978 before starting his 35 year career at Naval Academy where he became the first full-time civilian coach in Navy Diving history.
His tenure was a turning point in the program, as the school elevated his position to that of a head coach with a budget at his disposal to recruit and grow the diving program.
In the off-seasons he conducted youth diving camps at Point Mallard Pool in Decatur, Alabama, He also held camps at the USNA with his good friend and Olympic Coach Bob Rydze, former University of Iowa Diving Coach.
Joe was known for his humor, honest heartfelt opinions, his warmth and decency to all who knew him.
He was generous in all things and always the spark at any gathering because of his wit and philosophical opinions.
He loved playing games, especially golf, darts, and horseshoes. Besides being a father, one his greatest joys was owning and riding the Triumph Bonneville, which he rode to Woodstock in 1969.
Joe was preceded in death by his father, Carl, his mother Frances, sister Carolyn Schwab, and brother Carl.
He is survived by his wife Patricia, his sons Michael and Douglas, and his only grandson Nicolás.
As well, his closest cousins, Edward Suriano(Joanne), Gerald DeGrazia (Mary). His in-laws, Gary Schwab (Carolyn), Cynthia Suriano (Carl), Marcianna Rodriguez (Jose), Laurianne Goodwin (Ted), Larry Lane (Gale), Edward Lane (Rami). His nieces and nephews. Cindy Nielson (Karl), Eric Schwab (Tracy), Paul Schwab (Melanie), Todd Suriano, Scott Suriano (Jessica), and Andrew Suriano (Carlyn). Also many great nieces and nephews.
A celebration of his life was held Saturday, February 15th in Lejeune Hall on the grounds of the United States Naval Academy with close to 200 former friends, colleagues, and athletes in attendance.
The Suriano family is requesting that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Joe's name to the United States Naval Academy Men’s & Women’s Swimming and Diving Programs:
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