Joseph Peter Dineen, 78, of Largo, Florida funeral service is 9:15 AM, Friday, May 20, 2016 at Bay Pines National Cemetery, 10000 Bay Pines Blvd., Bay Pines, Florida 33744 with the Pinellas County Honor Guard and the US Army Honor Guard, officiating. Please arrive at the cemetery between 8:45 AM and the service time.
Joseph Peter Dineen
February 14, 1938-April 25, 2016
Adventurous
Inquisitive
Passionate
Stellar story-teller
Intelligent
Lover of learning
Lover of nature
Lover of cats
Birdman of Largo
Metaphor Man
Salesman
Businessman
Pilot
Father
Husband
Grandfather
Friend
A true Renaissance man
Joe Dineen was born in Washington, D.C. to Joseph Thomas Dineen and Margaret Clare McCormick. He was raised on Long Island where he greatly enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing and boating. Always wanting to know how things worked, he found mentors in sailors, mechanics and hunters and learned all he could. He started his own business when he was just a teen, and built and raced stock cars. At age 17 he talked his way into the Navy and served for 2 years and then reenlisted into the Army. There his brightness was recognized and he served in the Cold War in Intelligence, serving his country undercover as a code breaker, in Ethiopia and Germany. He was shot while flying reconnaissance over Russia. He was deeply protective yet proud of his service.
Joe moved to Florida with his oldest daughter, Kelly, in 1966. A single Dad, he embraced the Florida lifestyle and the state became his true home. He loved boating, fishing, sunsets, walks on the beach and the Florida Keys. He worked in sales and eventually started his own company, Central Florida Contractors Supply. He loved being on the road, meeting people and helping solve their problems with his products. In 1969 he married Claudia Rhodes Case and in 1972 they had Jessica.
A pilot, trained by his beloved friend/brother Patrick Yaeger, he changed his focus from boats to planes. He became a flight instructor himself and loved being in the air and at the airport. Many stories were shared in those hangars with dear friends. He started to restore a KR-21, a vintage bi-plane, a project unfinished.
In February 1997 he met and married Anne Murphy. The two met at church and shared a love for their Savior Jesus Christ. They enjoyed travel, gardening, family, friends, and classic cars, one of which, a Roadster, Joe built and proudly displayed at shows.
Joe was a wonderful teller of stories (many of them true!), a great lover of nature and animals, especially his cats. He rescued birds, cats, ducks and people, always generous and giving to those in need. He had wonderful adventures and caused a great deal of mischief with his “brothers” Pat Yaeger and Beau Bercaw. He loved fixing things, then re-fixing things. Never one to sit still, he always had several projects going at one time.
He was a supportive and loving father who instilled in his daughters a love of cats and nature, the importance of education, and the power of family.
While his last years were hard, he remained always interesting, loving, entertaining. He was cared for and loved by his wife, Anne, during the hard times and her love and care are greatly appreciated.
He is survived by his wife, Anne, daughters Kelly and Jessica, step-children Elizabeth and Jonathan, grandchildren Connor, Clare, Jackson and Lucy, sisters Ellen Sally and Maureen Field, numerous nieces and nephews and wonderful friends and neighbors.
Joe, your absence is deeply felt, for you are irreplaceable.
VETERANS FUNERAL CARE
727-524-9202
We know that our friend and neighbor Joe is in a better place now but it is still so hard to say that last good-bye- you will always be in our thoughts-memories and heart. R.I.P
Joe was a very dear friend. We enjoyed hearing all his stories. We had a common interest, CATS. He will be missed.
Joseph started out as a customer, but soon became a friend, who made working with him an adventure. One of the most creative people I knew who worked relentlessly to solve problems his customers had. He had such a loyal following it was a true pleasure to have known Joseph.
He will be missed by all who knew him and no doubt has already taken the squeak out of the Pearly Gates for St. Peter upon his arrival. The story telling and unique sense of humor will be missed by all who knew him. Load the potato cannon and let them fly!
Rest in Peace my friend, you will be missed.
Fred Snapp
Best Dad ever!!
Joe was an extra father to me, and always an inspiration to me. He could tell a great story, and give a great hug. He is a forever treasure.
A saddened good bye to our neighbor of many years. Joe, we remember your mission to save the oak tree, your determination to teach the neighborhood’s not so smart ducks to fly, and we remember wonderful parties and picnics, and so many other fun-filled adventures.
It was fate that after a friendship in Basking Ridge, NJ, I should run into you years later in Treasure Island, Fl. Your unique personality and sense of humor never changed. Although it has been MANY years since our paths crossed I was fortunate enough to have witnessed the wonderful job you did as a father. Till we meet again Joe……
From all the guys at Avis. We’ll miss Joe and all the stories of airplanes, boats and hot rods. He always had s story to tell and was very entertaining on our long deliveries. Rest in Peace Mr. Joe. Your beloved cats will miss you.
To Anne and Family:
We have many fond memories of Joe, our son having lived next door for many years.
Thelma and I enjoyed our conversations with Joe and Anne and his love for the cats.
We certainly will miss him and know he is at peace after a tough battle health wise.
Rest in peace Joe!
My deepest sympathy to your family. Joe was a great guy. I first knew Joe as a wonderful friend of my
dad, Bill Madley. They were fishing buddies many years ago. I recently re-knew Joe from coming in the Jeep
dealership where I work. Everyone he met loved him and his stories. When we go through family pictures, Joe is there, as always in our thoughts and prayers.
So Long Joe, I hardly knew ya.————
–Unknown to me he lived within blocks and I rented one of his gliders at the Clearwater Air Park about 1976.When he came aboard at Avis he had health problems,but little did I realize were that serious.At Avis we had little time to get in anything but short snippits re: previous work and life history.During those short times I really thought Joe was exaggeraded many of his stories.How can anyone do so much and know so much I and explain it in such detail.?
So I “Fact ” checked a story he told about a rare vintage airplane engine that he explained in exquisite detail.By God it was true!! He also had the way of telling a lengthy story seeing a bird, plane, fish etc then going into a long story about that,THEN returning to the original story were he left off.!
Joe’s health was getting progressively worse,sometimes dragging himself,falling as he crossed the lot. For those af you who knew him,he was somewhat hard headed in
agreeing with doctors findings and recommedations, particularly if it was disabling. to dally activity.
So he was truly a renaissance man. Glad have crossed paths with one of the rare men—-.So long “Little Joe”
Kelly and Jessica,
Terry, Hughie and I spent many happy years living next next door to you. Our thoughts and condolences go out to you and your families.