Fr. Joe was born in Orlando, Florida on October 3, 1946 to John and Helen. The most prominent memory he has of his parents is their dedication to the unity of the family. His sister, Mary Jane, who resides in Tallahassee, Florida is married to an attorney and has two sons. He regards his sister as a strong catholic woman proudly helping to keep the family together. His patron saint, Saint Joseph, influences his life and he has accumulated many of St. Joseph's traits. Fr. Joe likes to let go and allow his mind to work idealistically and creatively responding to God's will. According to scripture Saint Joseph was a visionary and accepted God's will amidst difficult circumstances.

His Favorite - Color: green; Hobby: fishing.

His Greatest - Book: Bible - Exodus/Genesis; Need: good health.

His Epitaph - "He tried to be the priest that God expected".

During the early 1950's he and his family moved to Miami, Florida where he lived until he graduated Archbishop Curley High School in 1964. After graduation from high school Fr. Joe planned to accept an academic scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania where he intended to study a curriculum in geology. However, his plans were changed after an interview which went so well that he was accepted into the seminary. In 1964 he moved to Dedham, Massachusetts near Boston and entered a seminary whose authority was the Order of the Society of African Missions or "SMA". The initials stand for Society of African Missions in Latin Sociteas Missonum ad Afros . The authorities allowed seminary students the privilege to enroll in Stone Hill College which offered additional curriculums. He elected to attend Stone Hill College and studied sociology. In 1966 "SMA"suspended this privilege and from 1967 - 1968 the seminarians were required to attend St. Stephen's Priory, a Dominican Fathers House of Studies, located in Dover, Massachusetts. During his first two years at the seminary his favorite course was Latin and the last two years his favorite courses were Cosmology and Rational Psychology both of which were in Latin. After completion of his studies he took his Temporary Vows to the "SMA". In 1968 he attended The Catholic University of America's School of Sacred Theology in Washington, D.C.. The following years of 1969 - 1970 he attended the Washington Theological Coalition which was changed to the Washington Theological Union in 1977 where he matriculated into a Degree in Pastoral Theology. Fr. Joe continued his education at The Catholic University of America's Graduate School of Education from 1970 - 1971. Additionally, he had the opportunity of studying summer sessions at Notre Dame in Indiana and Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts. A large part of his formation was at the Washington Psychiatric Foundation in Washington D.C. where he studied group therapy and group dynamics.

On January 29, 1972 Fr. Joe was ordained in Tenafly, New Jersey at the Motherhouse of the "SMA" Order. In August of the same year he was sent to Liberia, West Africa where he stayed for almost two years . This began his African missionary experience. While in Liberia he established missions, was an educator in the cities and performed pastoral work in the bush country. He regards his African experience as one of the most exciting times of his life and was fascinated by the variety of the cultures and African environment. In 1974 his mission in Africa ended after contracting malaria and a severe case of kidney stones. He returned to the United States and was admitted to a hospital in Teaneck, New Jersey.

After recovering from his illness he returned to the Dedham Seminary in October 1974 and was assigned to the staff at the "SMA" Seminary as a counselor and priest in residence. In April 1975 he was assigned to the Chicago Vocation Center for the "SMA" Order and was soon made Superior. Unfortunately the cold Chicago climate did not agree with him and in August 1980 he was forced to accept an assignment at St. Charles Borromeo in Orlando, Florida as their associate pastor. Surprising to all, this was his family's "home parish".

In September 1982 he was assigned to a mission on Andros Island, Bahamas but was forced to return to St. Charles in October 1982 after a relapse of his illness and the absence of qualified medical care. In 1984 he was assigned as School Pastor at Bishop Moore Catholic High School. He remained at Bishop Moore until he was assigned to the campus ministry at Stetson University in Deland, Florida in 1989.

At the invitation of Bishop Norbert Dorsey, Fr. Joe left the "SMA" Order in 1994 and became a member of the Diocese of Orlando. During the same year he was assigned to St. James Cathedral . One year later he was assigned to St. Joseph Catholic Church in Winter Haven, Florida as associate pastor. On August 24, 2001 he was assigned to Dunnellon, Florida as pastor at The Catholic Community of St. John the Baptist Church ( For More Information Click Parish History on Main Page ).