Joseph De Filippis

Giuseppe "Joseph" De Filippis, of Carlsbad, California, passed away peacefully on July 18, 2026, at the age of 97, surrounded by his loving family. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Frances, after 55 years of marriage. Joseph is survived by his children, Nicola (Mary), Cynthia (Scott), Anthony, and Joseph (Elizabeth); his grandchildren, Nicholas, Charles, Francesca, Christina, Joseph, Olivia, Isabella, Julian, and Samuel; and his great-grandchildren, Autumn, and Lily.

Joseph was born on February 16, 1929, in Mola di Bari, Italy, to Vito Nicola De Filippis and Crescenza Colonna. He was preceded in death by his siblings, Gennaro, Nicola, Elvira, Anna, and Giovanna. Throughout his life, he carried a deep devotion to his family.

Joseph spent his childhood in the seaside town of Mola di Bari. Naturally curious and gifted, he learned drawing, sculpture, and the art of decorative plasterwork under the guidance of his father, “Maestro Nicola” De Filippis. Together, Joseph, his brothers, and sisters carried on their father's passion for the arts and their love of Mola.

His academic ability earned him admission to a secondary school in nearby Bari. At 12 years old, he began a rigorous ten-course, three-year curriculum. His studies were primarily focused on science, and included stenography, linguistics, typing, business, finance, and commerce.

After completing his education, he fulfilled his compulsory military service in the Italian Navy. In 1947, he was certified by the National Authority of Maritime Education to perform electrical work. He also became an accomplished Naval Morse code operator and often worked in Rome. In the aftermath of WWII, Joseph traveled to Venezuela where he joined his brother, Nicola. Combining his formal education in Bari with the technical training he received during his naval service, and the artistic training of his father, he then took his craftsmanship skills to create beautiful, fine plasterworks.

Joseph met the love of his life, Francesca Collella in their Mola di Bari grade school, when she brought lunch to her brother, Angelo. He knew even then that he would one day marry her. Though Frances immigrated to Chicago, they continued their romance via weekly love letters. In 1954, Frances flew to Caracas alone to marry Joseph and later they began their life together in Chicago, Illinois.

Together, they built a full life and raised a loving family. Joseph’s workmanship earned him a position at the Illinois Gear metal shop. He worked after hours on their first modest home, which afforded them a path to a new home in Norridge, Illinois. Joseph and Frances joined a tight community of Italian family and friends who also lived in the suburbs in Chicago. His presence as a husband, father, uncle, and friend would be felt during the many celebratory family gatherings.

Joseph’s skills as a craftsman could be seen in the countless basements he remodeled. As a gifted artisan and teacher, he left his artistic mark by painting wall murals and oil paintings, and creating pen-and-ink drawings, along with intricate designs laid into the tile work.

In October 1978, Joseph and Frances moved their family to Carlsbad, California. For the next few decades, Joseph would rise before dawn and drive to work. He proudly worked for Mola Development, where he utilized his many skills. While home, Joseph was tireless. He was always willing to help his children, family, and friends by creating backyards, laying tile, doing carpentry, building a pizza oven, or making simple home repairs and giving lessons on how to do so along the way.

He was a voracious reader of history, geography, and art, and looked forward to his monthly National Geographic. He especially loved researching his Italian dictionaries for clues to his favorite Italian crossword, La Settimana Enigmistica. He enjoyed all types of sports and enthusiastically watched and commented on them as play unfolded.

With the love and support of his children, Joseph journeyed through the last decades of his life without Frances. He especially cherished the time he spent with his grandchildren, friends, and neighbors, sharing stories, life lessons, and the craftsmanship that had shaped his own life. Joseph never gave up on himself or his family. For nearly twenty years after Frances's passing, he carried forward the love they had shared. He remained devoted to his family until God called him home to be reunited with his beloved wife.

Visitation and Services will be Saturday August 8, 2026 9:30 am in the Chapel of Eternal Hills. Interment will be following at Eternal Hills Cemetery in Oceanside, California.