DIAZ, Joe, 87, of Brandon, Fla. went to heaven on July, 22, 2011. He was born on March 23, 1924 in Tampa, Fla. and was raised in Ybor City by his loving parents Jose and Ramona Diaz. On November 4, 1943, Joe married his childhood sweetheart, Anita Velarde. Together they shared over 65 years of marriage, and will forever be recognized as two people who were truly in love. Just months prior to his wedding day, in July of 1943, Joe enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was a Gunners Mate Third Class, and fought in the Normandy Invasion in WWII. Joe was a retired letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service. Joe "Welo" enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He passed on many of his artistic traits to them, and especially enjoyed teaching his grandsons his carpentry skills. Not only was he known for his beautiful woodwork, but he was very talented at sketching and drawing, and decorating cakes for all occasions. Joe very much enjoyed a good meal at his favorite restaurant, La Septima Cafe, on Wednesday night "Family Night", and also enjoyed working there the later part of his life. Joe was survived by his sister, Dalia Diaz Gonzalez; two daughters JoAnn Diaz Shea and husband Don, and Dahlia Diaz Fernandez and husband Ron; grandchildren, Juanna Shea Noriega and husband Albert, Donna Shea Denhoff and husband Aaron, Jennifer Fernandez Mussenden and husband Jerry, and R.J. Fernandez; great-grandchildren, Erica, Andrea, and Adam Noriega, Shea, A.J., and Lily Denhoff, and Ana Maria, and Adriana Mussenden; uncle, Julio Piniella; aunt, Ida Fernandez; sisters-in-law, Violet Velarde Gonzalez, and Martha Oliva Velarde. He had many nieces and nephews, many great nieces and nephews, and countless friends. He was loved by many, and will be missed by all. Joe was preceded in death by his wife; brother, Manual Diaz; sister, Irene Diaz Maggio; brothers-in-law, Arsenio Velarde, Jr., and Joe Gonzalez, Sr.; and best friend, Modesto Garcia. The family will receive visitors at Hillsboro Memorial Funeral Home 2323 W. Brandon Blvd. from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm, on Thursday, July 28, 2011. The service will begin at 6:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Veterans' Families United Foundation, P.O. Box 14355, Oklahoma City, OK 73113 or veteransfamiliesunited.org_memorials in name of Joe Diaz. Arrangements under the direction of Hillsboro Memorial Funeral Home, Brandon, FL.
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