Lt. Col. (RET) US Marine Corps Joseph Francis Paratore, Sr. passed away peacefully at his home in Haymarket, VA surrounded by his loved ones on September 17, 2019 after a ten year battle with Alzheimer's. He was 92 years old and is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Gladys (Midge) Thornton; two daughters, Jo Anne Adkinson (Michael-deceased), Mary Ann Kupar (Jim); three sons, Michael, Joseph Jr. (Amy), Jimmy (Tiffany); eleven grandchildren, Brian (Jenn), Jackie, Charlie, Jake, TJ, Caitlin, Daniel, Tucker, Maddi, Joseph Cameron and Charlotte; and three great-grandchildren, Miles, Hazel and Ali. He is preceded in death by his son Leon and his older siblings Sam, Jenny and Jim.

Joe was born in Sinagra, Sicily to Leone and Josephine Paratore. His father moved the family to the United States when he was two years old. He attended Roosevelt High School in East Chicago, Indiana. Afterwards he joined the Navy where he spent two years traveling the Mediterranean which allowed him to visit his birthplace. He attended Purdue University where he earned a BS in Physical Education. After graduation he joined the US Marine Corps where he had an adventurous career serving his country including deployments in the Korean and Vietnam wars. Joe was a multi-sport athlete and is listed in the Indiana State Wrestling Hall of Fame. Joe loved God, his family, the Washington Redskins, all things Italian, and was an accomplished golfer. After retiring he and Midge moved to Naples, Florida and then Tampa. They returned to Northern Virginia in 2013 to be closer to family. He is now in heaven with his mother who died of influenza when he was only four months old.

The Paratore family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers who provided comfort during this difficult time: Kathy who is truly an angel sent by God, Lourdes and Isabel, as well as everyone at Heartland Hospice who are too many to list for their loving care, compassion and professionalism.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 26, 2019 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Colonial Funeral Home of Leesburg, 201 Edwards Ferry Road NE, Leesburg, VA 20176. A Mass of Catholic Burial will be offered on Friday, September 27, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church, 23331 Sam Fred Road, Middleburg, VA 20117. Burial will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

Contributions may be made in his honor to Heartland Hospice, 493 Blackwell Road, #319, Warrenton, VA 20186.