A quick memory.

Uncle Joe always had the best gifts. One of the most memorable was my first "boom box". I was highly encouraged to play it at louder volumes with certain choices genres of music that my father would "love". To which my father replied it would be going out the window should I follow through on that. 

Miss you Uncle Joe!

Not a day goes by when we don't think about Joe. It's almost always about the fun stories and crazy stuff we did. Sometimes, it's about all the things he did for us, acting as a true friend.
Those memories are so strong it still is very painful realizing he is no longer with us.
I can't imagine how it must be for you guys; Gretchen, Paul, Diane,  Julio and the rest of the family.
He will always be remembered and thought of with warm and fun thoughts.
God bless you and know we are thinking of you all.

The Taylor Family

Joe was my friend and instructor.   A solid man of great character. I'm truly going to miss his guidance, our conversations and the stories he'd tell.

Uncle Joe and Gretchen at my wedding rehearsal dinner 5/31/19. 

I’m loving all of the memories shared here Joe! Really gonna miss your razzing😁
Thank you for your friendship and conversations over the years!!

I will always remember the numerous phone calls you would make, and how we would veer away from the reason for the call, and just have a fun conversation. 

Gretchen, May God with you in your time of sorrow,. Our prayers are with you and your family at this time.  Love, The Campbell Family, and Lynn Orcutt.

Words cannot express the pain I am feeling for the loss of a great man and a great friend.
Prayers for Gretchen and the family.

Joe getting promoted to Green Belt at the Bushido Ryu Dojo. He trained with us for many years. 

Tom, Juliane and Jeff Milbrath lucky to dive with Joe at Ginnie Springs!! You will be missed Joe!!

I always enjoyed Joe stories and his  advice when it came to diving. We will miss him and will never forget him.

To me, Joseph Citelli was "Uncle Joe", my godfather. Some of my earliest memories besides staying with him in Florida for my first trip to Disney involved being with him at his parent's house in NY with the cool gazebo. The one with the original yankee stadium chairs his father had gotten when they ripped down the original stadium,  painted and numbered for his favorite Yankee players; while Uncle Joe prepared an endless amount of fireworks that looked as though it could blow up a tank! Being somewhat of the "devil on my shoulder" as a child, Joseph gave me my first "boombox" that HAD to played early in the morning with certain "select music" that my father would "appreciate". My first real camera came from him as well. The pictures taken contained some of the most memorial from my college days. It was also Uncle Joe who had advised me as to the proper use of a flask, should its use be necessary.
As an adult I will never forget our scotch-filled evening and trip with my father and my friends to NYC as a young man. It was quite the experience! 
The times we shared and had together were more than memorable and in retrospect, too few. It is my greatest hope for those times to continue once we all cross the Great Divide and are all together again.  
Love you Uncle Joe and God Speed!

To Gretchen, Diane, and Paul my deepest condolences. 

jdt3  

Joe was not only a legend in the world of diving, he was truly remarkable, kind, honest, intelligent, smart person. He was living a happy, full of passion life! I learned so much from him about diving. And respected him a lot. He set a good example. Our classes grew in a friendship and I value the time we spent together, memories of our deep conversations, parties at his hospitable home will be treasured forever in my heart. It was the great honor to know you, Joe Citelli, and be your friend! My family, my kids will miss you forever! RIP

Dear Gretchen, we are so sorry for your loss, I can feel your pain! Stay strong!

Victor, Irina and kids 

From the first day I arrived in South Florida a decade ago Joe treated me as a member of the gang.  Welcomed, valued, included…   He was the first friend I made when I showed up.  He just said  “Hey, I’m Joe”.   The conversation started.   He didn’t try to change anything about how I dived rather he just said “ oh you’re alone? … You’re welcome to join us”.   From then on out, I knew I had a friend.
Since then I’ve enjoyed my time with both Gretchen and Joe and the Barbecues in the backyard and appreciated  the advice they’ve both shared with me.

Thank you Joe.

Jeff A

Taken at the end of our CCR class. Joe was always ready to share his knowledge. It was a pleasure to take a class with him and learn from his passion and experience .  We were looking forward to our next dive.

Picture taken at the end of our daughter/father CCR class. Joe was always laughing  and passionate. It was an honor for us to have the opportunity to learn from his experience.   


Joe was our long-time friend, diving mentor, and kindred spirit in his love of the water.  He brought joy to so many lives, including ours, and will be missed by everyone who had the good fortune to know him.
 
Gretchen, our hearts go out to you an the rest of your family. May all the wonderful memories of Joe be a blessing and bring you comfort at this sad time.

With our deepest sympathy,
Ray & Cyndi Blanchard

My friend you will be sorely missed.  My memories with you and Gretchen are endless


Joe,

Thank you for the great memories. Someday I will see you on the other side my friend.

- Anthony Joseph Reno

It all started with you Joe. You’ve been a friend, a mentor, and the best instructor one could have had.

Rest in peace my dear friend, blue water, and shipwrecks be with you always.

Thierry

My wife and I are very sadden for the passing of our dear friend Joe. He’s been an inspiration and had a special place in our heart.

We will always remember his kindness, smile, and kind words.

Rest in peace Joe, you will always be remember. 

Thierry and Sandra

Here we are with Joe in 2016 after a fantastic dive on the RBJ/Corey n Chris wreck off Pompano Beach. It was the last dive of our CCR Trimix course with Joe.

So many wonderful memories of spending time with Joe, beginning with our earliest tech dives in 1998 off the Reef Cat. Joe later became our CCR instructor, but he was our friend and diving mentor long before that.

Fair winds and calm seas, Joe.

Cyndi & Ray Blanchard



So many memories of this man. He was loved by so many. I am fortunate enough to have called him friend. The crazy adventures, the fun nights of laughing, too many to forget. 
To say I am broken is an understatement. Sending my deepest condolences and love to Gretchen, Paul, Diane, his namesake Joey, and his many many friends. 
Til we meet again my brother. 

We were celebrating the birth of my daughter. 

A friend and neighbor for 35 years, Joe and I were young and full of life and adventure. He will be missed. Our prayers are with Gretchen and his family.

The Muscari Family

It is with incredible sadness that I learned of the death of my dearest and oldest FRIEND, Best Man, Godfather to my son, my business partner and  my partner and confidant in many crazy adventures.
It's almost impossible to express Joe's caring for others, his intelligence and his zest for life.  Joe certainly lived life to its fullest.
My heart breaks for Gretchen, Paul, Diane and their families.
Know how much I share in your loss !

I've known Joe since 1994.  You will be missed Joe.  

I'm so very sorry to hear of Joe's passing. We were friends through diving and he graciously wrote a recommendation for my membership in the Explorers Club. Joe was a very sincere and decent man that was always there to help anyone. I will miss him very much.   

OBITUARY

Joseph A Citelli

13 July, 1949 – 17 April, 2023

Forest Lawn Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens

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