Joseph J. DiPanfilo, a long-time resident of Woburn, MA, died December 24th in Melbourne, FL. He was the husband of Anna M. (Pinto) DiPanfilo of Naples, Italy with whom he was married for 58 years.

Born and raised in Woburn, he was the son of the late Zopito and Giacinta (Carpineti) DiPanfilo. He was educated in the Woburn Schools and was a retired United States Navy veteran having served in both WWII and the Korean War. Mr. DiPanfilo served his country in the United States Navy for 20 years and retired with the rank of Chief Petty Officer.

Mr. DiPanfilo's assignments in the Navy took him all over the world. During WWII he served with the amphibious Force Atlantic and had campaigns in southern Italy, North Africa and France. After WWII he had campaigns in the Northern Atlantic islands of Greenland, Baffin Island and Newfoundland. He also spent four months in China in 1947. In 1955, while stationed in Naples, Italy, he met the love of his life, Anna, who he married.

After his retirement from the Navy in 1962, Mr. DiPanfilo went to work in the civilian world for another 28 years. His first job out of the Navy was with Photon in Wilmington, MA and he was later employed by Olin Chemical in Wilmington, MA where he was in charge of the operation and maintenance of the steam plant until his retirement.

After his retirement from civilian and military life, Mr. DiPanfilo and his wife divided their time between Woburn and Melbourne, FL. He was very involved in the senior community at Patrick Air Force Base in Florida where he and his wife enjoyed the friendship of many wonderful former veterans and their spouses. He had many interests - traveling, fishing, baking homemade pizza, home repairs and photography to name a few.

He was preceded in death by his two dear sisters, Eleanor Murphy and Annette Riley, along with his brothers Frank, Anthony and twin brother Charles.

Surviving him is his wife Anna of Melbourne, FL; his sons Richard and his wife Nora of Methuen, MA, Ralph of San Diego, California, Mark and his wife Alison of Natick, MA and his brother James and his wife Kay of Woburn. He is further survived by his grandchildren; Laura, David, Gia and Gianni DiPanfilo along with many nephews and nieces.

The funeral will be private and will take place at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA. Donations may be made in his memory to: The Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, PO Box 1893, Memphis, TN 38101-9950.