L/Col Joseph DuPont Jr., USAF (Ret.) passed away April 6, 2019, at Casa de la Luz, Tucson. He was a quiet and generous man who, above all, loved his wife, his children, and his country. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Carolyn; his three children, Shelly, Shanna Garbooshian, (Mike), and Daniel; and one granddaughter, Emily Garbooshian.

Born April 9, 1935, he grew up in a close-knit Italian family in Bristol, R.I. He worked during high school and college for his father’s trucking company, DuPont Express, as well as for Narragansett Brewery. After graduating from Colt High School, he attended  Brown University and graduated in 1957 under the ROTC program. He then began his 28-year career as an Air Force pilot, flying everything from jets to props to helicopters.

He married Carolyn Mansfield at Vance Air Force Base Chapel, Enid, Oklahoma, in 1963.

Joe served tours in both Korea and Vietnam and was awarded combat medals from both the United States and the Republic of Vietnam. He was awarded the Bronze Star,  Meritorious Service Medal w/1 device, Air Medal w/2 devices, AF Longevity Service Award Ribbon w/5 devices, Vietnam Service Medal, and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/1 device.

On  January31, 1985, he retired as a Lt. Col. at Davis Monthan AFB.   

After retirement, he worked at Loews Ventana Canyon for 12 years, during which time he and his wife enjoyed multiple trips to Hawaii., France, and Italy. He loved doing daily crossword puzzles, Sudoku, and reading copious amounts of mysteries by numerous authors, both American and foreign.

Joe considered himself “just an average Joe who got damned lucky.”

Funeral Mass will be said by Fr. Jonathan DeFelice at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, April 16, at 9:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Eastlawn Cemetery.