Joseph Elias

He was born in Boston, MA in 1925. He joined the Navy at seventeen and served his country from 1943 to 1973. He was a submariner for nine years and was on war patrol on the Macabi off the coast of Japan just days before the end of the war. Joseph retired as Master Chief Petty Officer.

After retiring from the Navy, he didn’t want to sell insurance so he started going to college in Jacksonville at JU and UNF, eventually earning five Bachelor degrees. One of the degrees was in Criminal Justice. He then went to work for the Jacksonville Public Defenders Office as an investigator for 25 years. He spent his last nine years as a faithful volunteer at St. Vincent’s Medical Center Riverside. He was a member of ST. Paul’s Catholic Church.

He is survived by his daughter, Janet Elias, of Neptune Beach; and his son, Charles Good, of Fernandina Beach and his wife, Monica and their two sons.

Thirty years in the Navy, twenty five years working in the Public Defender’s office and nine years and 11,000 hours as a St. Vincent’s volunteer. He earned his sleep! We loved you and will miss you!

A private ceremony and inurnment will be held at Jacksonville National Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of BEACHES CHAPEL BY HARDAGE-GIDDENS FUNERAL HOME, 1701 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 (904) 249-2374