Joseph J Plaia Jr.

Joseph James Plaia, Jr., age 72, son of the late Joseph James Plaia and Sarah Elizabeth Pilato Plaia, and a lifelong resident of Birmingham, Alabama, went to Heaven to be with our Lord on Sunday, July 7, 2024, after a long battle with cancer. He was dearly loved and will be forever missed.

Joe was the cherished husband to his loving wife, Jacqueline “Jackie”; a beloved father to his daughters Sara Plaia Maugh (Morgan) of Birmingham; Michele Plaia of New York, NY; Justine Plaia Regnier (Ryan) of Brookhaven, GA; and to his son, Joseph James Plaia, III, (Leslie) of Birmingham. He was the adored Pa Paw to his seven grandchildren: Jonathan Regnier, 16; Jackson Maugh, 11; Juliana Maugh, 8; Luca Plaia, 6; Whit Regnier, 4; Penelope Plaia; 3; and Caroline Regnier, 1. He is survived by his big brother Sam Plaia (Johanna) of Birmingham; his sister-in-laws Jeanne Barrentine (Kyle) of Birmingham, and Jeri Schwartz (Louis) of Jacksonville, FL; and a host of cousins, nephews, nieces, friends, and godchildren.

Joe was raised in the Ensley area, what was then known as the Little Italy of Birmingham, and graduated from John Carroll Catholic High School, class of 1969. He was an avid athlete and enjoyed playing every sport in high school. He especially excelled at baseball, and he also loved Alabama Crimson Tide football. So, after graduation he attended the University of Alabama with his many buddies and tried to walk-on the Alabama baseball team. He was proud to be a Pi Kappa Phi fraternity brother and was still in touch with many of them. After two years at UA, he transferred to the University of Alabama in Birmingham where he played shortstop and pitcher for UAB’s first baseball team, and in fact, he also pitched the first winning game! He pursued his love of baseball for most of his life, playing travel ball after college for many years, and on a men’s 50 and older baseball team at historic Rickwood Field in Birmingham.

He remained lifelong friends with his beloved JCCHS classmates who call themselves the Old Goats. They got together often to reminisce about good times, reliving memories of life in the ‘60s: long hair, peace signs, dating, and their prowess in sports (with a little embellishment, of course). During the past month, as his illness progressed, the Goats visited often, bolstering Joe’s spirits by telling him how much they loved him and teasing him to get the party started in Heaven for them all. Their presence was a great comfort to him as well as Jackie and his children, reminding them how very special Joe was to so many.

Post graduation, Joe began his professional career in probation and parole, rising to become director of Jefferson County, before transitioning to a career in medical sales, where he quickly rose to leadership positions. For the past 30-plus years, he had a distinguished career as National Director of Sales and Marketing for Roche, Labcorp, and Varian (Alere), wherein he won the President’s Award many times and enjoyed company reward trips with Jackie. They made lifelong friends with Joe’s co-workers, and in May 2024 enjoyed a wonderful cruise together on the Celebrity Beyond, sharing lots of laughs and love with Frank Main (Carol) and Fred Delfino (Kerry). Additionally, Joe had a long and esteemed collaboration with several professional organizations, notably including the National Drug & Alcohol Screening Association (NDASA) as well as Substance Abuse Program Administrators Association (SAPAA), wherein he served as past president.

Joe had a zest for life and everyone who ever met him talked about his light. He always wore a smile on his face and had positive words to share. He made everyone feel loved and like they were the most important person in the world, especially his family members. Throughout his debilitating, four-year cancer journey, he never once complained. For the past 35 years, he and Jackie strived to live every day to the fullest, and they agreed they were truly blessed to share their best lives together. They loved traveling, socializing with friends, living their Catholic faith, honoring our Lord and Savior, Alabama football, and spending time with their beloved family. With seven grandchildren, and all their activities, every week was full of fun and memorable family events they called “Grandadventures.” Those memories will help sustain and comfort his family and to keep his spirit alive.

John 11:25-26

Funeral arrangements for Joe will take place on Thursday, July 11, 2024, at St Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, 7340 Cahaba Valley Road, Birmingham, AL 35242, Visitation: 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass: 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. (His children’s eulogies will take place prior to mass.) A Celebration of Life in the parish hall: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Serving as Pallbearers are Joey Plaia, Morgan Maugh, Ryan Regnier, Kyle Barrentine, Sam Plaia, Sammy Plaia, David Plaia, Anthony Plaia.

The family would like to sincerely thank Dr. William R. Carroll and Dr. Harishanker Jeyarajan of UAB Otolaryngology, Dr. Joelle Hamilton at Urology Centers of Alabama, the caregivers at both UAB and Grandview Medical Hospital, Christy at ACG (Hope) Hospice, and Erika and Jennifer at Southern Heritage Funeral Home for their dedicated care.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Catholic Charities or St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church in Birmingham, Alabama.