Joe Terranova, 98, of Winter Park, Fl, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Monday, August 28, 2023, grateful that the dream of his lifetime had been realized. He had been called just less than one week before he passed with the news that his autobiographical book, My Destiny, had been accepted for publication.

Joe was a remarkable man who led an exemplary life of service and commitment to every endeavor. He stepped up, rolled up his sleeves and did whatever he could for his community, his friends, and even strangers. He was disciplined, wise and bursting with an infectious optimism. He was a humble soul and his driving force was love and respect for others. Joe's life was a testament to the power of fatherly love, possessing an unwavering devotion to his two surviving daughters, Jaime and her husband Vic, and Elisa, making their world a better place with his enduring love.

Joe was born in 1925, in Washington, D.C., to doting parents Joseph and Luisa, both immigrants from Italy and Poland, respectively. Even as a very young man, he was always a principled person of great integrity. He and his younger brother Richard, both served proudly in the Army during World War II. He was stationed in Germany where he served in the 14th Armored Division, 25th Tank Battalion where he took on, with full conviction, the Great War on Tyranny. Afterwards, he graduated with a degree in Accounting and Economics from George Washington University where he successfully completed his CPA exam.

Joe was an exceptional person and he lived a life of service, traveling around the world with a distinguished thirty year career in the Foreign Service. His travels brought him to many exotic places and he lived on every continent in the world except two, Antarctica and Australia. This exposed him to a multitude of differing religions and cultures, having met leaders of countries, African tribal members, American Presidents, and even the first Astronauts, all of which inspired his open-mindedness which would serve him well in life.

After his retirement in 1980, he relocated to Winter Park, Florida where he was destined to eventually meet and marry the love of his life, Agnès. Joe was a man with a vision, and coupled with his energetic devotion to Winter Park, he immediately set out implementing plans for his community and its future generations. Joe was a man with foresight, and his ability to listen earned him a reputation as a respected and honest leader. He served as both City Commissioner and Mayor and his accomplishments were numerous. These included serving on the committee that helped create the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, which features one of the foremost collections of Louis Comfort Tiffany's glasswork, which Joe was very proud of. He was also a member of the University Club and proudly served as its past President and aficionado in the art of joke telling. Additionally, he served as a member of the Winter Park Historical Association as well as the Winter Park Library Board of Trustees. Nothing brightened up Joe's life like making people smile and he always had a joke up his sleeve. Joe's generosity and energy knew no bounds. His acts of kindness were countless, touching the lives of family, friends, and many strangers. He was the epitome of a humble, matter-of-fact man with a heart of gold that knew no bounds. Every year he relished dressing up as the town Santa Claus and delighting all the children. Embracing the power of diversity, Joe was also a tireless and quiet champion for underprivileged minorities, the disabled, and the LGBTQ community.

Food was the epicenter of Joe's life. He had been somewhat of a gourmet cook back in his day, but more than anything else, Joe loved to eat, a lot. All of Joe's friends were convinced that the man had two hollow legs. No other explanation could be found as to how a man could pack all that epicurean cuisine into such a slender frame. He was a self proclaimed chocoholic, and could never turn down a very, very dark piece of French chocolate. Joe also cherished entertaining and was often surrounded by large groups of friends that he welcomed to his home. But those intimate early morning breakfasts with his closest friends, Scott, Mark and Rob was what he enjoyed most.

Joe was a devoted husband and was survived by his beloved French wife Agnès, with whom he shared a journey filled with their mutual passion for Art, French Cuisine and their love for animals and birds of every kind. This took them on various trips to several countries in Africa, as well as Costa Rica's Rainforests and countless trips to Europe. His departure from this world leaves a void that can never be filled, but his memory will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew him. He leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness and optimism that serves as an inspiration for us all.

After his passing, he will once again be reunited with his loving parents, Joseph and Luisa and his younger brother Richard. He was predeceased by his first wife Joy, mother to his children, and wives, Helen and Pat.

As we say goodbye to Joe, let us remember the wisdom he taught us: to give selflessly, to love unconditionally and to cherish every moment we have left with our loved ones and with this beautiful planet. We can honor his legacy by striving to make the world a better place, one charitable act of kindness at a time.

A private funeral will be held for the family at Baldwin Brothers Funeral and Cremation Society, and in lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that you plant a tree in Joe's honor, who was a fervent environmentalist.

Joe was often quoted as saying, "I have never hated anybody or anything except war and guns." And his motto was, "Moderation in all things, including moderation."