Joseph Gazil Jr.

Joseph was born on September 27, 1946 in Murphy, North Carolina and graduated from high school in 1964. He worked at Disneyland in Anaheim, California in 1965. He joined the Marines on April 6, 1966 where he served 2 years on active duty by going to Vietnam on November 10, 1966 by ship. He was awarded his dress blues for Outstanding Marine in Platoon 173.

Upon discharge, he graduated from Seminole Community College with his Associates of Arts Degree in 1975. He worked in grocery and convenience stores until 1975, Nova Sales in Lakeland and Jacksonville. He worked for Garvey Sales in 1978 as an account executive. He was a manager for Food Lion. He owned and operated Food Giant and Food Plus. He went on to work in management at Wal-Mart in six different stores until his retirement in 2013 due to health.

After retirement, he gave his time to multiple departments at Central Church where he served as a usher, door greeter, choir and taught Master Life Course, taught Sunday School and served as a Deacon. He also served as Chairman of Deacons, property and space, counting committee, Happy Hearts President, served communion to the homebound, and assisted with the widow/widower banquet. He was very active in the Senior Adult Group.

Joe loved his family and time with grandchildren, playing dominoes with his friends, his church, beach and surf fishing, mountains, doing stain glass art, and trips.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Harriet Abney and Joseph Gazil, Sr.

Survivors include his loving wife, Dianne Gazil; children, Michelle Gazil of Sanford and Michael Gazil of Orange City; five grandchildren, Jack, Carson, Aidan, and Declan Gazil of Debary, and Reagan Gazil of Orange City; great grandchild Charlie Rae; three step-grandchildren, Isaiah, Jazlyn, and Juliana Santana of Orange City; sisters, Dawn (Doug) Story of St. Augustine, Star (Greg) Douglas of Sanford, and Gail Diamond (Kyle-predeceased) of Sanford, and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. He is also survived by a loving church family at Central Church.

The family will host friends from 10-11 am on Saturday, June 22, 2024 Central Church, 3101 FL -46, Sanford. The funeral service will begin at 11 am with a reception to follow at the church.

Graveside services with military honors will be held at 3 pm on Saturday, June 22, 2024 at Oaklawn Park Cemetery, 5000 CR 46A, Sanford.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Central Church, 3101 FL-46, Sanford, Florida 32771.