Retired Colonel Joseph Peter Pepe, a proud veteran of the United States Army, passed away peacefully with his family on Wednesday, March 23, 2023, in Austin, Texas, at the age of 98. A loving husband and father of three, Joseph was born to Peter and Fortunata (Ruocco) Pepe on June 1, 1924 in Haverhill, Massachusetts.
Joseph was a graduate of West Point, class of 1946. He honorably served his country in World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam. His specialty was Field Artillery and Air Defense. Notable late career assignments included stints at NORAD, Stewart Air Force Base, Newburgh, NY and White Sands Missile Range, NM. He retired from the Army in 1975 and continued his career with Raytheon and Northrop Grumman Company until his retirement in 1989.
Joseph was an accomplished bridge player and earned a Silver Master ranking in the ACBL. He also loved a competitive round of spades with his family. Crossword puzzles were another favorite pastime. There wasn’t a puzzle that he couldn’t solve.
Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Ruth, his great grandson Crockett Mahan and his grandson Matthew Pepe. He is survived by his son Joseph Jr. and his wife Julie, son Michael and his wife Christi, daughter Theresa and her husband Gary Callaghan, sister Antoinette Borrelli, his grandchildren John Pepe, Rachel Pepe Mahan, Shannon Pepe Montoya, Joseph Lynn Pepe, Nick Pepe, Mike Pepe, and 11 great grandchildren.
A service honoring Joseph will be on March 27, 2023 at Chapel of the Hill Funeral Home, 9700 Anderson Mill Rd., Austin, TX, 78750. Viewing will be 10:00 a.m. and the service after at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at Ft. Bliss National Cemetery, El Paso, TX on March 30, 2023 at 9:00 am.
