Joseph James Zeccardi

Joseph (Joe) James Zeccardi, (85), died peacefully at Brightview Fallsgrove Senior Living, in Rockville, Maryland, on November 28, 2025. He was born on February 14, 1940, in New York City, the son of the late Ilario and Mary Zeccardi. Joe was the second oldest of five children and grew up in Manhattan. He attended Power Memorial Academy, graduated from Manhattan College with a degree in mathematics and began his career at General Electric in Lynn, Massachusetts. Later he received an MBA from the University of Rochester.

Joe married the love of his life, Generosa “Jean” Margaret Kelly on August 4, 1962. They moved to Burlington, Vermont and later settled in Broomall, Pennsylvania, where they started a family. Joe’s career took the family to several cities—Penfield, NY; Bloomfield Hills, MI; and back to the Philadelphia area (Newtown Square)—before they ultimately made their home in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Wherever they lived, Joe and Jean formed lasting friendships and created warm, welcoming homes. Joe was an adoring husband, a loving and devoted father to his three children, and an amazing grandpa to his three grandsons.

Joe loved fishing and spending time outdoors. His summer home on Lake Dunmore in Vermont was his favorite place to spend time with Jean and the family. Endless summers were filled with boat rides, campfires with s’mores, fireworks and watching sunsets over the lake.

Joe is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Jean; his son Joe James Zeccardi of Gaithersburg, MD; his daughters Michele Kelly (husband Jim) Blakeslee of Bethesda, MD, and Susan Kelly Zeccardi of Boca Raton, FL; and three grandsons: Michael, Matthew and Sean Blakeslee. He is also survived by his siblings Carmine Zeccardi, Maryann Hatfield, and Lawrence Zeccardi. His love for nature and the outdoors lives on through his children and grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.