Joseph "Joe" L. Antico Jr.

It is with great sadness that the family of Joe Antico announces his passing, after losing his courageous battle with cancer, on Monday, August 27, 2018, at the age of 57 years.

A devoted and loving husband, father, son, brother and uncle he will be forever remembered and missed by his wife, Rebecca (Becky), his son, Richard, his mother, Angela, brother, Mark (Michelle), sister, Rose (Stirling), sisters-in-law, Charmaine Miller and Debbie Richberg, brother-in-law, Jim Locke, grandchildren, Tobias and Elizabeth Rothmel, his nieces, nephews and extended family. Joe was predeceased by his beloved, father, Joe, brother, Richard and son, Marc Rothmel.

Joe was a deeply spiritual man who dedicated each day of his life learning how “to be kind and loving to all”. For over 31 years Joe was a member of twelve step fellowships where he learned to live “Just for Today” remembering that “What we have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition.” His love helped to change and save many people lives and he will remain an inspiration to all who knew him.

Joe was a generous, funny, gentle man, who filled his days with walking dogs, helping wherever he could, going to the gym, working with some of his favorite people, recovery meetings, spending time with his amazing sons and always coming back to his favorite place – home with the love of his life - Becky and their dogs. Joe never met a dog he did not love he truly was “a dog’s best friend.”

Joe deeply loved and was incredibly proud of his sons and their accomplishments. Richard, a college graduate, shared an unbreakable bond with his dad and they spent a lot of time talking about work-outs, sneakers and all things football and Marc, a war hero, was always able to talk to Joe about everything and often asked for his advice with life struggles.

During football season Joe and Becky, and sometimes Richard, would park themselves in their family room from morning to night, with their dogs, to watch college and pro games and eat their favorite food.

Holiday celebrations were especially meaningful to Joe and he and Becky spent months in advance preparing for their gatherings, from putting up Christmas lights to shopping for the perfect gifts and food. Christmas dinner surrounded by family and friends brought great happiness to Joe.

Vacations for Joe and Becky were always near the ocean, taking their annual anniversary trip to the Bahamas, the UCA Dolphin Fishing Tournament at The Ocean Reef Club and their newest favorite vacation place, The Four Seasons in Palm Beach. These days were spent relaxing in a beach chair, always holding Becky’s hand, swimming in the ocean and eating their favorite foods.

Joe will be greatly missed by the many people he worked with for over 25 years in the underground waterworks products distribution business. Joe’s relationships with people, both personally and professionally, were what he held most dear and he endeavored to always be part of the team rather than a “boss”.

Joe will be forever remembered as a kind man with a wonderful sense of humor, a beautiful smile, a genuinely nice guy, who never met anyone he could not talk to. This led to the many times that he kept Becky waiting while he finished his conversation with his new friend in the grocery store or wherever they happened to be. Joe had a way of making each person he spent time with feel as if they were appreciated and valued.

The greatest joys in Joe’s life came from his 30 plus years love affair with his wife, recovery and time spent with his much-loved sons, family, friends and his beloved dogs and cat.

Please join us in the celebration of Joe’s life on Sunday, September 16, 2018 at 1pm at the Dorsey–E. Earl Smith Funeral Home, 3041 Kirk Road, Lake Worth. Family and friends are invited to a memorial gathering on Sunday, September 16, 2018 at 11:30am until the time of service at the funeral home. Joe's celebration takes place on a "football" Sunday and anyone attending the event is invited to wear your favorite football team's jersey or t-shirt.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial donations be made in Joe’s honor to: Best Friends Animal Sanctuary (bestfriends.org/donate/planned-giving), Shepherd's Men (shepherdsmen.com/donate), CARP, Inc. (carpinc.org/support-us/)