Joseph John Marletta, 90, died in his home, with his daughter Renee and son-in-law Luke, under the excellent care of Vitas Hospice in Altamonte Springs, FL. He was born in Warrenton Virginia, son of Giuseppe and Maria Marletta.

He was a 1952 graduate of Eastern High School in Washington D.C. and following that he enlisted in the US Air Force. He was stationed at Lawson AFB, 464th Troop Carrier Wing at Fort Benning, Georgia. During the Korea Conflict, Joe was stationed in Newfoundland, Canada. During his time in the military Joe received a National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. He was discharged, honorably, on December 12, 1956.

After his Military service, Joe began civilian life as a teacher and colorist for Loreal Hair Color company and owned a hair salon with his first wife, Beverly. Joe also worked in several other professions, including life insurance and a environmental cleaning company. He then began a career in Auto parts with Ferguson Automotive Corporation until he retired. Following that he went to work part time at Thompson Gas for several years.

Joe loved to dance and took many opportunities to attend Parents without Partners, outdoor concerts and often spent a weekend evening at Pen Mar Park near his home with his second wife Lu. He had a great sense of humor and was very outgoing and loved to talk to people wherever he met them, even complete strangers were treated as friends. He enjoyed volunteering for a cold weather shelter, the community free clinic, Habitat for Humanity and Hospice. Joe had a passion for kayaking, snow skiing, water rafting and traveling. He and Lu, traveled to Africa, Italy [twice], Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Hawaii, Scotland and many others. They also took an 8-week trip across the US and made stops to see family and friends and places of interest along the way.

Joe is survived by daughter, Joe-Anna O'Neil [Eric Ford], Renee Williams [Luke - husband]; a son, Grant Slater [Vicki - wife]; sister, Julia Kimbrell; two granddaughters, Ashley Hedderig and Emma Fontaine; two nephews Brian Kimbrell [Lee Ann - wife] and Vincent Marletta [Colleen - wife]; two nieces Terri Thompson [Dennis - husband]; and Brenda Brant [Bill - husband]; five great-nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, his newborn son John Ryon Marletta, and brother, Angelo Marletta.

A Catholic mass will be planned, and notices will be sent when arrangements are completed.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cancer Society or to Vitas Hospice, 2201 Lucien Way Suite 100, Maitland FL or Hospice in your community.

The family of Joseph John Marletta invites you to leave a message of condolences on the Tribute Wall created in his memory.