Joseph William Tortorice Sr., born August 28, 1940, passed away peacefully at his home in Morehead City, North Carolina, on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, surrounded by his loving family and friends.

A funeral mass to honor Joseph’s life will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, August 20th at St. Egbert Catholic Church in Morehead City, presided by Rev. Ryszard Kolodziej.

A celebration of Joseph’s life will also be held in New York this fall, with details to be shared at a later date.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Joseph met his sweetheart, Rosemary, right around the corner from home when she was 12 and he was 13. The two married on June 16, 1960, beginning a marriage that would span 66 years.

Joseph served as a Lance Corporal in the United States Marine Corps and was a CTI. During his service, he was stationed in Bremerhaven, Germany, where he and Rosemary welcomed their first son, Michael.

After returning home from Germany, Joe and Roe, as they were known to everyone who loved them, opened an auto parts shop together. Not long after, they welcomed their second son, Joseph Jr., and raised their two boys in Kings Park, New York.

In 1998, Joe and Roe moved to Atlantic Beach, North Carolina, where they built a life and community they loved. A lifelong fisherman, Joe was happiest near the water. He also volunteered at the hospital where Roe worked and made friendships that quickly became family, filling their years in Atlantic Beach with laughter, memories, and love. Following Atlantic Beach, they built a house in Blaire Farms where they resided for over 20 years.

Of all the roles Joe held throughout his life, none meant more to him than being a grandfather. Being a grandpa was, quite simply, his favorite thing in the world. He was endlessly proud of his six granddaughters, and there was no greater joy for him than watching them grow up. His love for his girls was constant and unmistakable, and they always knew just how deeply proud he was to be their grandpa. His great-grandsons, Dory and Jova, added additional joy to his life and his love for them was apparent through every interaction he had with them.

Joe was deeply loved by his family and by the many friends he made throughout his life. His presence, his stories, his laughter, and the love he gave so freely will be missed more than words can say.

He always made sure his family knew just how much he loved them, reminding them often that he loved them “all the way up to the sky and back.” And that is exactly how he will be loved and missed in return: all the way up to the sky and back.

Joseph is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Rosemary Tortorice; his son, Joseph William Tortorice Jr.; his daughter-in-law, Lori Tortorice; his six granddaughters, Jessi (David Ramael), Cara, Alyx (Shane McClatchey), Lindsy, Paige, and Joie; and his great-grandchildren, Dory and Jova.

He was preceded in death by his son, Michael Tortorice; his sister, Maria Tortorice Orlando; and his parents, Lena and Michael Tortorice.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Michael Tortorice Scholarship for the Arts, mail donations to Southampton Culture Center, P.O. Box 5008, Southampton, NY 11969 please indicate “MT Scholarship” on the memo line or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

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

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.