Dr. Joseph Charles Schilleci

Dr. Joseph (Joe) Charles Schilleci of Birmingham passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, May 7, 2017 at the age of 89. He attended Ramsay High School where he met the love of his life Antoinette (Nette) Saia. He had his acceptance and dorm room at the University of Alabama but changed his mind, because he didn’t want to leave his sweetheart. He instead remained in Birmingham where he attended and graduated from Howard College (Samford University). One year later he was accepted to the University of Alabama School of Dentistry where he graduated in 1955. Upon graduation from dental school, he served in the U.S. Air Force as a dentist at Barksdale Air Force base in Shreveport, Louisiana. Upon completion of his military service, he opened his dental practice in 1957 in West End, AL. In 1984, he relocated his practice to Vestavia Hills, Al where it still resides. He practiced dentistry for 58 years before retiring in 2013. In college he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and Psi Omega dental fraternity. He was an active member for many years in the Birmingham District Dental Society, Alabama State Dental Association, Vestavia Country Club, Altadena Valley Country Club, Roma Country Club, The Club, Metropolitan Dinner Club and Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church. He was an avid golfer and was very proud of his low handicap and his 3 hole-in-ones. Like his father before him, besides golf, he loved poker, gin rummy, Alabama football, and a good joke. Joe was preceded in death by his parents Charlie and Annie Schilleci. He is survived by his wife and soulmate of 67 years Nette Schilleci; His children: Margaret Henderson (Steve), Charles Schilleci (Christine), and Linda Cencula; His grandchildren: Jeffrey Henderson, Michelle Gordon, Holly Vavrek, Nicole Wyatt, Erika Thompson, Joe Schilleci, Michael Cencula, and Lacey Cencula; His great-grandchildren: Lauren Gordon, Nicholas Gordon, Zachary Gordon; Brother: Nat Schilleci. Visitation will be Friday, May 12, 2017 from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows Church. Funeral mass will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Southern Heritage Cemetery.