76, of Cranston, left this world peacefully on January 11, 2016, in the company of his family. Joe was the son of the late Pasco DiOrio and Annetta McGowan, stepson of the late Agata DiOrio, and the brother of Carol Pepper, Janice Hay-Chartier, Pasquale and Anthony DiOrio. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Virginia (Forte), his daughter Patricia DiOrio Heim, his son David DiOrio, his 'adopted' son Robert Holland, his beloved grandchildren, Kelsey Heim, Emily and Joseph DiOrio, as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends. He was the devoted father of the late Joseph Anthony DiOrio.
Joe was proud to be a Veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He worked at Sadie's Variety, and DiOrio Brothers Auto Salvage, and most recently, as a Foreman at the City of Cranston's Highway Department until his retirement in 2014, where he undoubtedly "entertained" his colleagues with an infinite number of stories about absolutely everything.
Answering to Uncle Joe, Papa Joe, Joe Dawgs, or any of his many nicknames, Joe was a generous and dependable friend, and a terrible, but passionate golfer. He enjoyed traveling New England byways on his motorcycle and mystery journeys by car. His final act of generosity was to donate tissue to research a cure for pulmonary fibrosis.
Friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service and reception on Friday at Trinity Episcopal Church, 139 Ocean Avenue in Cranston at 9:00 a.m.