Joseph Victor DiPace CAPT USN (RET)

Joseph Victor DiPace, CAPT USN (RET), 90, of Charlottesville, VA, passed away October 12, 2023 and set sail on his “Eternal Patrol”. He was born in Brooklyn, NY on November 28, 1932, the fourth child of Italian immigrant parents, Biagina “Bessie” (Catania) and Victor DiPace. Joe, called “Cookie” by his family, graduated from Lafayette High School in 1950. Following graduation, he enlisted in the US Naval Reserve and served as an active reservist for over four years, attending weekly training drills and summer training duty at sea on destroyer type vessels. He went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education from Cortland State Teachers College, Cortland NY, where he lettered in soccer and lacrosse. While in Cortland, Joe met a pretty red-headed local girl, Jane Marie Dunning. They married in December of 1953, and so began their 58-year adventure…

After graduating from college in the spring of 1954, Joe was commissioned in September as an Ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve. He attended the U.S. Navy Deep Sea Divers School and Underwater Swimmer School and continued training as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician in Indianhead, MD. His first sea assignment was aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Bennington (CVA 20). While aboard the carrier, he transferred into the Regular Navy and was promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade, USN. In 1957, he volunteered for submarine duty and attended the U.S. Naval Submarine School, New London, CT. Upon completion of the six-month course, he served tours aboard the USS Sea Devil (SS 400) and the USS Salmon (SS 573) which were both homeported in San Diego, CA.

In February of 1962 Joe, Jane, and their children, Beth and Victor, left on their fifth cross-country trip. From Hunter’s Point in San Francisco, CA, where the USS Salmon was in overhaul, they headed east to New London, CT. They bought their first house in Groton, CT and Joe served as the Director of the Weapons Division at the U.S. Naval Submarine School. Subsequently, he served as the Executive Officer aboard the USS Dogfish (SS 350). Following a year at the Navy Personnel Office in Washington, DC., Joe assumed command of the USS Trutta (SS 421) in Key West, FL in August of 1967. During his two years in command his hard-working crew twice earned the highly coveted “E” for excellence award.

After his command in Key West, Joe was assigned to the Staff of the Commander Atlantic Fleet Submarine Force in Norfolk, VA. He then attended the College of Naval Warfare in Newport, RI where he graduated in June 1972. While at the War College he earned a Master’s Degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy from George Washington University. In preparation for his next assignment as the US Naval Attaché in Madrid, Spain, he completed a one-year Spanish language course at the US State Department Foreign Language Institute in Washington, DC. During his tour at the US Embassy from 1976-1979, Spain was undergoing the democratization process following the death of Francisco Franco. Joe had a number of official audiences with King Juan Carlos resulting from his diplomatic and attaché duties. As a result of these duties, he was awarded the Spanish Naval Cruz del Merito by the Spanish Chief of Naval Staff in the name of King Juan Carlos.

Joe returned to the United States in late 1979 and spent the next three years working special projects in Public Affairs for the Commander of the Atlantic Fleet and finally on the Staff of Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic (NATO) at Norfolk Naval Base Norfolk, VA. During those years he was also a spokesman for the U.S. Atlantic Submarine Fleet and a personal speechwriter for the commanding Admiral. He retired on December 1, 1982, after serving a total of 32 years of which 28 were of commissioned service in the regular Navy. His U.S. Naval awards include: Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, China Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star.

Following his retirement, Joe and Jane moved to Louisa, VA where they renovated and operated the Russlin’ Wind Farm for ten years. They raised horses and Angus cattle, and adopted more than a “few” rescue dogs. During this time, he worked in real estate field for Strout Realty and United Farm Real Estate. In recognition of his accomplished naval career in 1992 he was inducted into the coveted SUNY Cortland C-Club Hall of Fame. Later in 1992 they moved to nearby Lake Monticello, a lake and golf community in Palmyra, VA. There they enjoyed social activities, playing bridge, boating and many family gatherings. Joe returned to his great love of golf and played as often as he could. He joined the Gray Foxes senior men’s golf league, and founded the Frosty Foxes winter golf league for those “hearty and intrepid” seniors who were willing to brave the cold to play. In addition to playing, he learned to build, modify and re-grip golf clubs for family and friends.

While at Lake Monticello, Joe was active in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary unit there, where he served in many staff positions culminating as the Flotilla 88 Commander in 2001-2002. He took boating safety very seriously and spent many hours as a volunteer patrolling the lake. As a fundraiser for the Auxiliary Chorus he helped compile, edit and publish a Flotilla cookbook. Tubing with his grandchildren on Lake Monticello was always a special time. As “Pop” pulled them behind his pontoon boat, he always stressed (much to their chagrin) that they do it “properly”. Always a true Italian at heart, Joe loved to cook, entertain and to enjoy a good lunch with his friends, the “ROMEOS”. As a former player himself, he became an avid UVA Men’s Lacrosse fan and attended their home games for many years.

After losing Jane to COPD in 2012, Joe stayed at Lake Monticello for six years. In 2018, he moved to an independent apartment at Commonwealth Senior Living (CSL) in Charlottesville in order to be closer to his doctors and a dialysis center. He took great pride in decorating his apartment with family pictures and Navy memorabilia, and adjusted well to his new home. Almost immediately he started hosting teas and luncheons to get better acquainted with his neighbors. He was an active bridge player, started a weekly movie night, watched Dr. Pol and old movies endlessly and never tired of watching birds that flocked to his feeder. During his time at CSL, Joe made many good friends, and always appreciated their companionship, help and support. “Pop” looked forward to family visits and was so proud of his five grandchildren, especially when they all graduated from college. At the age of 88, he finally became a great-grandpop, which absolutely sent him over the moon, and he’d light up during every visit by his great-grandson.

Many of the USS Trutta crew members have kept in touch with “Smokin’ Joe” for over 50 years. Most recently, in the spring of 2023, the crew organized a mini-reunion in Charlottesville for their beloved “Captain”. During the past 20 years, Joe’s family has attended submarine reunions with him in Charleston, SC; Branson, MO; Muskegon, MI; San Antonio, TX; San Diego, CA and Savannah, GA.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife Jane; his sister Frances DiPace and her husband Connie; his brother Michael DiPace and his wife Patsy; his sister Aida Donald and her husband David; and his sister-in-law Jean Pozella and her husband William. He is survived by his daughter Beth Liivak and her husband Heldur; son Victor DiPace and his wife Gracia; grandson Nicholas Liivak, his wife Lex and their son Felix Joseph; grandson Brian Liivak and his partner Ashley Hale; granddaughter Elise DiPace and her husband Dave Pommer; grandson Matteo DiPace, his wife Lauren and their daughter Mckenzie; grandson Theo; sister-in-law Judy (Dunning) Yacavone and her husband Jerry and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Drs. McClincy, Osborne, Fischer, Landes, Ligush, A. Spinelli, S. Hendrix and the staff of Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital for providing many years of excellent care to Joe. We’re also incredibly grateful to Dr. Kevin McConnell and the staff at Davita Dialysis for their wonderful care, compassion, and support during the last five years. Dad couldn’t have done it without you. Many thanks to the front desk, maintenance, kitchen and dining staff at CSL, who always went above and beyond for Dad. Heartfelt thanks go to our special “angels” Nancy, Sylvia and Kim who loved, and took such good care of Dad.

At a later date Joe and Jane will be buried together with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Albemarle County Fire & Rescue, All Blessings Flow in Charlottesville, VA or the Trutta Fund for Veterans with the Western Colorado Community Foundation.

“Sailor rest your oars.”