Joe was born March 2nd, 1928 in Pittsburgh Pa.  He attended school in the Pittsburgh area and graduated high school in January 1946.

Joe received his "Draft Notice" on March 3rd, 1946 and enlisted in the Navy on March 4th.  He went to Basic Training at Great Lakes in March 1946 then to Submarine School in New London.  After graduation of sub school he was sent by "Cattle Train" (7 nights and 6 days) to Treasure Island California.  Then by Supply ship to Pearl Harbor.

He was assigned to USS BLACKFIN (SS 322).  He qualified BLACKFIN in 1946.  Joe was assigned to the engine room and spent his career as a diesel engineman.  There was a crew shortage at Pearl Harbor so Joe volunteered to go on the USS BERGALL for two weeks at sea.  He returned to BLACKFIN and decommissioned her in Mare Island Ca.

Next he recommissioned the USS SEALION  (SS 315) at Hunter Point.  This was a Troop Carrying sub.  They disembarked troops in 8 rubber boats w/outboard motors and landing craft that were stored in the bubble on deck.  The object was to surface, deploy the troops/landing craft without detection, then submerge undetected.  While on SEALION he trained with Marines from Quantico, VA.

Joe was discharged from the Navy at Brooklyn Naval Base in November 1948.

Upon discharge, Joe returned to Pittsburgh and got a job building homes.  He went to work for the food industry in 1952.  He also got married that same year.  He spent 37 years in the food business, living in Pennsylvania, upstate New York, eastern Nebraska and eastern Michigan.  Joe retired in 1988.

Joe moved to Fernandina Beach in 1998.  He joined SUBVETS in 1999.  He also does volunteer work with Nassau City Habitat for Humanity, Emergency Management Nassau City Board of Directors, Sutton Place (Nassau City Mental Health) and Forest Ridge Condo Association.

They are the proud parents of 2 girls (both married), 2 boys (one married) and grandparents to 2 girls and 4 boys.

Joe doesn't have a computer, but he can be contacted by snail mail at:
2413 First Ave. C-3
Fernandina Beach, Fl. 32034
or by phone at::
904-277-4570