Joseph Larry Blasi

Joseph L. Blasi, 88, of Estero, Florida passed away on March 16, 2020 after a brief illness. Joseph was preceded in death by his parents Michael and Celesta Blasi; stepmother Alice Blasi; and older brother, Frank Blasi.

Joe is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Patricia; children Elizabeth Blasi Flynn (James) of Cashiers, NC; Michael Blasi (Kelli) of Bonita Springs, FL; Charles Squillace of Hollywood, FL; Cheryl Desmidt of Plantation, FL; grandchildren Kelli Flynn Minkoff (Zachary); Katherine Flynn; and Joseph K. Blasi; as well as many extended family members.

Joe was born May 21, 1931 in Philadelphia, PA to Michael and Celesta (Loscalzo) Blasi. He graduated from Wildwood High School in 1949. He and his brother Frank bravely served their country during the Korean War while aboard a naval destroyer, the USS Moale. After returning to the states and attending college in California, Joe pursued careers in avionics and engineering. He married, relocated south to Miami and worked in quality control for Milgo Electronics, later Racal-Datacom.

After divorcing, he reconnected with his childhood friend, Pat, while on vacation. They married six weeks later in the spring of 1974 and were active in their church and community of Hollywood, FL for over three decades. Joe eventually resigned his former job to accept a position as the Vice President of Manufacturing for Lexicon, the company responsible for patenting the first-ever handheld language translator. In 1979 he founded Delcor Industries in Hollywood, where he provided job opportunities for hundreds of employees. For over 25 years he proudly forged long-term relationships with clients including IBM and many others, plus several government contracts.

Joe enjoyed reading, playing chess, debating, solving challenging crossword puzzles, fishing, and spending weekends on his yacht, “Joah’s Ark,” on which he traveled and socialized with family and friends from their boat club. Through the years Joe and Pat loved dividing their time between Florida, and their beloved home on the shore in Ocean City, NJ, where they entertained dozens of family members and friends. Upon retirement they relocated to Estero, FL where he liked watching college and pro football, dining out, and most of all spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Joe will be remembered for his kind heart and generous soul. He was a man without enemies and a hero to many. He always saw the best in everyone, especially the downtrodden. Joe was the king of second chances and always gave selflessly and unconditionally of his time, his wise counsel, and his wallet. The world may have lost an incredible man, but his spirit lives on in those whose lives he touched. He is and always will be dearly missed.

Due to the COVID virus, his celebration of life with military honors will be held at the Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Road 72, Sarasota, FL 34241 at a later date.