Joseph Virgil Tharp

He was born in Erie, Pennsylvania to Adelaide Chojnacky and Virgil Tharp. Joseph was loved and raised with the help of his 3 great aunts, Otylda (Tillie) Zebroske, Katherine (Kate) McBride, and Annie Zebroske. He graduated from Cathedral Prep and Mercyhurst College with degrees in Law Enforcement and Psychology. Work history includes General Electric Company and Western Southern Life Insurance Company.

He was recently retired from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office where he was a Reserve Deputy and Social Worker/Classification Specialist. He was a member of St. Andrew’s UMC in Brandon. Joseph was an avid photographer (JVTharp Photography), marksman, hunter, martial arts practitioner, and also liked to cook. He loved riding his Harley, activities with his pets, and most of all, his family. Joseph is survived by his wife of 47 years, Dianne Tharp, his sisters, Mary Bemis and Catherine Smith, and many in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends.

A Celebration of His Life will take place on Friday, October 12, 2018, 6 pm at Stowers Funeral Home, Brandon. Donations should be made to either Metropolitan Ministries or the Salvation Army in his name at the links below.