Joseph Michael Gabriel Chiofolo, 73, of Jacksonville, FL, passed away peacefully in his home on February 12, 2025. Joe was born March 24th, 1951 in Atlantic City, NJ, the son of Frank and Frances Chiofolo (née Grillo).
Joe graduated from High School in 1970, then went on to St. Joseph's College, earning a degree in History 1975 followed by an MBA 1980. In 1975, Joe joined the United States Air Force, commissioned as an officer through ROTC and served twenty years until retiring with an honorable discharge in 1995.
Joe married Jan Dickey-Chiofolo (née Dickey) on December 27th , 1994 at the Maxwell AFB chapel, with the Justice of the Peace officiating followed by a marriage at the Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in 2005 by Father Willis. Joe and Jan held a wonderful friendship for years before Joe finally asked Jan to marry him. Their unlikely partnership of an Italian Jersey boy and a southern belle was the perfect union for a happy marriage.
Joe worked as a Missileer in the Air Force, valiantly defending his country manning the Minuteman III and Ground Launch Cruise Missile weapon systems. Joe loved the Air Force. After his retirement from the Department of Defense, Joe continued to don the uniform for an additional 14 years as a JROTC instructor for high schoolers through the Florida public school system.
Joe loved watching, reading, and teaching history, including participating as a Civil War Re-enactor with his sons. He also loved learning the wonders of nature and science. He was also an avid sports fan, following football, soccer, and basketball. He shared these hobbies with his children, especially for the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the University of Arizona Wildcats. Joe was also an avid animal lover.
He was a member of the Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church and was very involved, bringing communion to those who were unable to travel to services and acting as the treasurer for the local Knights of Columbus chapter.
Joe's "Dad Joke" humor was legendary, giving surviving family and friends a plethora of fond memories, from going to the store and buying "mosquito knees" to extremely inaccurate impressions, Joe will be remembered forever.
Remaining to cherish Joe's memory are his spouse, Jan Dickey-Chiofolo (née Dickey); children, Christine Ehmann (née Chiofolo, spouse Chris), Mark Chiofolo (spouse Amber Strickland), John Chiofolo (spouse Marcy), Jason Goolsby (spouse Candice), and Robin Tillery (née Goolsby, spouse Stan); grandchildren, Elizabeth Maline (née Hunter, spouse Tyler), Miranda Hunter, Patrick Ehmann, Parker "Dash" Chiofolo, Maximos Chiofolo, Iris Chiofolo, Cora Chiofolo, Kaleb Tillery, Emalee Tillery, Alex Goolsby, Daniel Goolsby, Connor Goolsby, Aubry Goolsby, and Ally Goolsby; great-grandchildren, Evelynn Maline, Wesley Maline, Lila Maline, and Nora Maline; brother, Anthony Chiofolo (spouse Teri); sisters, Geraldine Smith (née Chiofolo) and Harinam Khalsa (née Jeanie Chiofolo); nieces and nephews, Anthony Chiofolo Jr, Michael Chiofolo (Rose), Susan Chiofolo-Kissel (née Chiofolo, spouse Marc), Denice Trujillo (née Chiofolo, spouse Nevio), Karensa Carpanni (née Chiofolo), Joanna Holbrooke (née Chiofolo, spouse Troy), Jimmy Smith, and Benjamin Yoblick.
Preceding Joe in death are parents Frank Chiofolo and Frances Chiofolo; brothers Anthony "Brother Angel" Chiofolo, Frank Chiofolo Jr., and Johnny Chiofolo; and nephew, Tevye Yoblick.
Funeral services will be held on February 25th, 2025 at 11:00 am (Visitation at 10:00 am) at the Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Jacksonville, FL, with Father Izbicki officiating. Interment will be at February 28th at 11:00 am in Thomasville, GA, Laurel Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations made in Joe's memory may be directed to Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church of Jacksonville, Florida.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joseph Michael Gabriel Chiofolo, please visit our flower store.
Joe graduated from High School in 1970, then went on to St. Joseph's College, earning a degree in History 1975 followed by an MBA 1980. In 1975, Joe joined the United States Air Force, commissioned as an officer through ROTC and served twenty years until retiring with an honorable discharge in 1995.
Joe married Jan Dickey-Chiofolo (née Dickey) on December 27th , 1994 at the Maxwell AFB chapel, with the Justice of the Peace officiating followed by a marriage at the Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in 2005 by Father Willis. Joe and Jan held a wonderful friendship for years before Joe finally asked Jan to marry him. Their unlikely partnership of an Italian Jersey boy and a southern belle was the perfect union for a happy marriage.
Joe worked as a Missileer in the Air Force, valiantly defending his country manning the Minuteman III and Ground Launch Cruise Missile weapon systems. Joe loved the Air Force. After his retirement from the Department of Defense, Joe continued to don the uniform for an additional 14 years as a JROTC instructor for high schoolers through the Florida public school system.
Joe loved watching, reading, and teaching history, including participating as a Civil War Re-enactor with his sons. He also loved learning the wonders of nature and science. He was also an avid sports fan, following football, soccer, and basketball. He shared these hobbies with his children, especially for the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the University of Arizona Wildcats. Joe was also an avid animal lover.
He was a member of the Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church and was very involved, bringing communion to those who were unable to travel to services and acting as the treasurer for the local Knights of Columbus chapter.
Joe's "Dad Joke" humor was legendary, giving surviving family and friends a plethora of fond memories, from going to the store and buying "mosquito knees" to extremely inaccurate impressions, Joe will be remembered forever.
Remaining to cherish Joe's memory are his spouse, Jan Dickey-Chiofolo (née Dickey); children, Christine Ehmann (née Chiofolo, spouse Chris), Mark Chiofolo (spouse Amber Strickland), John Chiofolo (spouse Marcy), Jason Goolsby (spouse Candice), and Robin Tillery (née Goolsby, spouse Stan); grandchildren, Elizabeth Maline (née Hunter, spouse Tyler), Miranda Hunter, Patrick Ehmann, Parker "Dash" Chiofolo, Maximos Chiofolo, Iris Chiofolo, Cora Chiofolo, Kaleb Tillery, Emalee Tillery, Alex Goolsby, Daniel Goolsby, Connor Goolsby, Aubry Goolsby, and Ally Goolsby; great-grandchildren, Evelynn Maline, Wesley Maline, Lila Maline, and Nora Maline; brother, Anthony Chiofolo (spouse Teri); sisters, Geraldine Smith (née Chiofolo) and Harinam Khalsa (née Jeanie Chiofolo); nieces and nephews, Anthony Chiofolo Jr, Michael Chiofolo (Rose), Susan Chiofolo-Kissel (née Chiofolo, spouse Marc), Denice Trujillo (née Chiofolo, spouse Nevio), Karensa Carpanni (née Chiofolo), Joanna Holbrooke (née Chiofolo, spouse Troy), Jimmy Smith, and Benjamin Yoblick.
Preceding Joe in death are parents Frank Chiofolo and Frances Chiofolo; brothers Anthony "Brother Angel" Chiofolo, Frank Chiofolo Jr., and Johnny Chiofolo; and nephew, Tevye Yoblick.
Funeral services will be held on February 25th, 2025 at 11:00 am (Visitation at 10:00 am) at the Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Jacksonville, FL, with Father Izbicki officiating. Interment will be at February 28th at 11:00 am in Thomasville, GA, Laurel Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations made in Joe's memory may be directed to Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church of Jacksonville, Florida.
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