Joseph Anthony DiBella “Captain Joe” passed from this Life into the next on Sunday morning, June 28 at CarolinaEast Medical Center.

Joe’s family invites you to a remembrance celebration in his honor at Munden Funeral Home on Saturday, August 1, 6-8 p.m.

Joe was born November 24, 1951, in Queens NY, the first child and son of Carmello “Charlie” and Rita Bartolino DiBella. Joe served in the US Navy for a brief time just before the Vietnam Conflict came to an end. He was stationed at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi. TX.

Early in Life, Joe was fascinated by the ocean, boating and fishing. Beginning around 8 years old, he especially loved going out with family friend Frank Mundus on a big boat called the Cricket II. He got in trouble for drawing her picture on the inside cover of one of his schoolbooks. He told his family he would own that boat one day. When his young family was growing, he traded, remodeled, built and fished numerous boats. Quite a few summers, he and his sons ran their boat for charter fishing. The boys would take turns mating and selling concessions. Joe also loved his time in the NY mountains hunting with good friends. They shared a cabin and spent deep winter trips hunting deer and enjoying good food and comradery. Joe was voted camp chef because of his excellent culinary skills.

Joe was a master carpenter, who learned the basics from his dad and went on to build both homes and boats and run heavy equipment. He especially loved a John Deere backhoe. Joe studied and became skilled in many facets of the construction field including plumbing, electricity and masonry.

He was a successful restaurateur, remodeling a downtown New Bern music store into DiBella’s Italian Deli; then he opened a full scale restaurant with market, game room and 6 hotel room upstairs. He even had an ice cream shop at one time. Joe was fearless against most challenges and accomplished much in his 74 years.

Joe survived stage 3 Hodgkins Lymphoma in the late 80s. He attributed his recovery to his strong family ties, friends and humor. He spent his days watching old B/W comedy, Stooges, Marx Bros, Laurel & Hardy. No doubt his keen scene of humor was honed during this struggle. Joe was a cut-up of the highest order, teasing, lambasting, and finding humor throughout his Life. Many can attest to his pranks and high jinks.

In 1993, Joe got tired of the cold NY winters. After some research and a visit, the family headed south to Carteret County. In NC, he again worked in construction and of course, fished.

Later in Life, nothing made Captain Joe prouder than establishing and incorporating the Cricket II Project. In 2013, Joe, wife and close friends, the Kenny Bocks and Mike Boulias, set up a North Carolina 501C3 non-profit committed to taking disabled US veterans fishing at no cost. The Cricket II was donated to the Project; she was shipped to Bock Marine from New Jersey on a flatbed truck and work began to repair, restore and modify her to accommodate challenged vets. The old vessel was repowered, repurposed and dedicated to her new mission in July 2014. Since then hundreds of veterans have gone fishing on the “JAWS” boat. Many friends, businesses, clubs and fellow veteran groups have supported this cause. Efforts will continue to restaff her and again take our veterans fishing. In lieu of gifts or flowers, please consider a gift to the Cricket II Project, c/o Bock Marine, 233 Core Creek Rd, Beaufort, NC 28516.

Joe is survived by his wife of 28 years, Lorraine Coffey DiBella of Hudson NC, two sons, Christopher (April) and Andrew DiBella (Alexandria), and mother of their sons, Mary O’Neill (Rick). Also remaining in his wake are sisters Joanne Guido (Mike) and Rita DiBella, and brother Charlie DiBella (Karen). Grandsons Chris and Matt DiBella remain behind to remember him fondly, along with granddaughters Ava DiBella, Elena and Emory Paulin, great granddaughter Isabella DiBella, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, and many friends and acquaintances. If you ever met Joe, you were not likely to forget him.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home and Crematory, Morehead City, N.C.