You may have known him as Joe, Uncle Joe, Papa Joe, Mr. Mayor, Mr. City Commissioner (but just call him Joe, Uncle Joe, Papa Joe; he preferred that).
My dad Joseph Varsallone lived a good life. He died on Feb. 8, 2021. He was 88.
Born in Waterbury, Connecticut, he was an insurance salesman (not the crooked-nose type) and a political figure in South Florida, serving more than 20 years on the city commission in Margate. Around 1974, we moved to Margate. He was a proud Margate resident for 40-plus years.
During his political days in South Florida, Joe also became active in the Broward Democratic Club.
Prior, he proudly served this country, our country, in the Korean War with the U.S. Marines. Semper Fi. He saw combat in Korea as a corporal. Like Radar from M.A.S.H., he carried the field telephone box communicator. He earned several medals. Most proud of being a Marine, he sported a U.S. Marine tattoo on his arm.
He enjoyed people. I recall him occasionally stopping at Mister Donut coffee shop off Margate Boulevard/441 (back in the day) late at night and sit there to relax and talk to people at the counter or friends or coherts or the employees. Same at Pete's Barbershop (still there/pictured) nearby or Dunkin Donuts near Coconut Creek Parkway/441.
People liked my dad.
He was an Italian American red head, and those in Connecticut referred to him as "Red" in his teenage/young adulthood days.
In South Florida, Joe helped the senior citizens and enjoyed their meetings and lunches and dinners, their ceremonies for their residents. Also, school functions, clubs, civic, social, anything to support the residents and try to make Margate a little better.
He loved speech making. He would not write anything. Impromptu. He would just grab the mic and go. He did not need a mic; he had a booming voice. "I don't need a microphone." He was everywhere: events, city meetings, county meetings, club meetings, League of Cities.
The Margate 4th of July Parade (he would walk the parade) and Veterans Day Ceremony, two of his favorite events. Those ceremonies honored our country & all those who served it.
No Covid.
COPD / his lungs / his heart the issue he battled for a while. That was his battle to the end of this mortal life. Now his soul, spirit and memory lives through family, friends, coherts, everyone who knew him and he knew. That's a lot of people.
It truly was a wonderful life.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Wounded Warriors, Paralyzed Veterans of America or any established organization helping veterans.
He has left his family and everyone he touched with a world of love that extends to infinity.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Orlando on Friday, February 19, 2021 at 10:00 AM.
Joe will be laid to rest at South Florida National Cemetery in a private ceremony.
