Joseph Anthony Versaggi, Jr.

Joseph Anthony Versaggi Jr. died peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends on February 10, 2022. He lived a wonderful life adjusting to challenges and setbacks with courage, strength, and humor.

On November 17, 1942 Joe was born in Brooklyn, New York to Josephine and Joseph Versaggi. He was the third of eight children to older siblings Sal and Zina, and younger siblings Thomas, John, Virgil, Rosanne, and Fred. Growing up in Garden City, Long Island, New York was an exciting and happy time. Joe rode his bicycle and delivered the local new paper. He and his rambunctious siblings would wrestle, play hide and seek, and fight for the best seat in front of the TV. Family dinners with mama Jojo’s baked ziti and meatballs were his favorite.

The family moved from Long Island to Tampa, Florida when Joe was 16. He graduated from Plant High School and went on to study accounting at the University of Florida and then the University of South Florida.

Joe met a beautiful lady named Estelle Rosas and he was smitten by her charm. They started dating in 1965 and married in 1967. One year later they welcomed their first child, Joseph (Joey) Versaggi, III.

Joe entered the Marine Corps after receiving his Wings at the Marine base in Pensacola, Florida. As a First Lieutenant, he served in the Marine Corps as a helicopter pilot. Joe was later stationed at Phu Bai, Vietnam, as a search and rescue pilot, flying 932 missions over a 13 month period. For his outstanding service and heroism, Joe received 10 medals and the distinguished Flying Cross. He was a proud Marine and honorably discharged with the rank of Captain.

After his return, Joe and Estelle welcomed their beautiful baby daughter, Diane, in 1970. Soon after they moved from California back to Tampa where he joined the family business, Versaggi Shrimp Corp. As the second generation looked forward to retirement, Joe and his brothers purchased the company from his father and uncles. When the third generation took control, Joe served the company as Vice President and Accountant for 44 years. As a member of the Southeastern Fisheries Association, a trade group of 800 members, he served as President for one year.

Joe enjoyed a beautiful life on Davis Island with his wife Estelle, their two children, and a constant stream of stray cats.

For 30 years Joe and Estelle participated in several social gatherings. He coached Little League baseball, mentored young boys in the Boy Scouts of America, volunteered at the Children’s Home of Tampa, the Davis Island Garden Club, the Dads Club at the Academy of the Holy Names and Jesuit High School. Being a pilot, Joe and Estelle enjoyed day trips in their private plane with fellow friends. He was also a devoted Catholic attending weekly service at Sacred Heart Church.

Joe was a loyal friend, regularly lunching with his buddies from high school where they helped each other navigate life, business, marriage, and fatherhood. He was a friendly man who regularly stopped to chat with dog walkers and joggers outside his home, and customers who visited Versaggi Shrimp Corp.

In 2006, Joe and his wife Estelle were in a plane crash that left them both significantly burned. Estelle died shortly thereafter, and Joe spent 3 months in an induced coma at Tampa General Hospital’s burn unit. With love and support from his family and friends, Joe was determined to give back to the hospital that had done so much for him. He volunteered with TGH, advocating for and counseling burn patients and their families every week.

Joe will be remembered as a war hero, an inspiration to burn victims, and a motivator to all. He was the father who taught the kids to water ski, the family man who fell asleep at the TV, the brother who ate the turkey neck at Thanksgiving, the husband who cut a rug on the dance floor, and the trickster who chased the cats off the driveway.

He is survived by his son Joe (Tatjana), daughter Diane (David), granddaughter Erica, siblings Sal, Zina, John, Virgil, Fred, Rosanne, and his companion Lily.

A Mass to celebrate Joe’s life will be held at Sacred Heart Church, 509 N Florida Avenue, Tampa, FL 33602, on Wednesday, February 16 at 10am. A reception at the Davis Island Garden Club to follow, located at 81 Columbia Dr, Tampa, FL 33606.

In lieu of gifts or flowers, please consider donating to the Tampa General Hospital Foundation or the charity of your choice in memory of Joseph Versaggi. Complete the TGH online form and check “in memory/honor of” and enter Joe’s name. https://tghsecureforms.org/make-gift Checks made out to TGH Foundation can be mailed to TGH Foundation, PO Box 1289 Tampa, FL 33601-1289. Please include Joe’s name in the memo line.