Obituary of Joseph Michael Claudio

Joseph Michael “Mike” Claudio, 97, of Pembroke Pines, Florida, passed away peacefully on September 27, 2023. Mike was born in New York, NY to Herculano and Adela Claudio on March 28, 1926. The third child and eldest son of eight siblings, he completed his education at 16 and entered the workforce to help support his family after his father died unexpectedly in 1942. As World War II progressed, Mike enlisted in the United States Navy upon turning 17, training at the Naval Station at Great Lakes, IL and then deployed to serve in the Pacific Theater. His ship supported the recovery efforts at Iwo Jima and fought in Operation Iceberg, the Battle of Okinawa. He was honorably discharged after staying on an additional 2 years in China post-WWII. Returning home to New York, Mike spent many decades in the food services industry on the distribution side, working for Swift Meats and the Pechter-Fields Baking Company. After “retiring” several times, Mike returned to work with Enterprise as a courtesy driver for nearly 20 years in New York and Florida, working part-time until he was 90, because he loved the interaction with people and staying active. His family will remember him as the highest example of a husband, father, son, uncle, and friend. He touched the world with love, humility, and warmth, and led his life valuing family, loyalty hard work, and perseverance. To his children, he was loving and made sure to instill his values on them. To his wife, he was loving and caring, making it a priority to keep their love alive in ways big and small. Mike married his beautiful loving wife of over 60 years, Carmen, in 1963. Together, they raised four children who will continue his legacy: Yvonne (Joseph) Colon, David (Lucie) Fuentes, Michael Claudio, and Annette (Marcus) Claudio-Calzada. He leaves three grandchildren, Christine (Anthony) Bartel, Steven (Kriste) Colon and Jerome Alvarez, along with three great-grandchildren, Katelyn, Bayleigh, and Braxton. Pre-deceased by his mother, father and six siblings, taking over the patriarch seat of the Claudio family is his youngest brother and only surviving sibling, Richard Claudio. Mike leaves behind countless special nieces, nephews, and friends who will always remember and cherish his memory. In honor of Mike’s service to the military, donations may be considered in his name to Honor Flight South Florida: https://www.honorflightsouthflorida.org/, an organization that was a special part of his life since 2015. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared below for the Claudio family. First Visitation Monday, October 9, 2023 from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. Second Visitation 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. Funeral Home Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at 10:30 A.M. St. David Catholic Church following Burial with Military Honors 1:00 P.M. South Florida VA National Cemetery- Lake Worth, Florida. Please keep the Claudio family in your thoughts and prayers. The Joseph A. Scarano Pines Memorial Chapel is honored to assist the Claudio family with the arrangements. 954-438-8222