Mr. Joseph Francis Mazzone Jr., husband of Gloria Drawdy Mazzone, passed away peacefully early Wednesday morning, May 10, 2023, at the Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home in Spartanburg.  He was 83.

Joseph was born in Worcester, Massachusetts on February 5, 1940, a son of the late Joseph F. Mazzone Sr. and Madeline I. Nelson Mazzone.  He spent his childhood years in Waltham, Massachusetts and, after graduation from high school, joined the United States Marine Corps.  He served his country from 1958-1964 as a radio operator and achieved the rank of lance corporal.

Joseph spent his working career as a tool/die maker, and machinist, for Carolina Eastman…devoting twenty-five years of service to the company.  After retirement, he became an adjunct professor at Midlands Technical College, teaching at many locations throughout the state of South Carolina.  He was awarded Adjunct Teacher of the Year in 2006.

Joseph, or "Joe" as he was affectionately called by his family and friends, was a man of many talents, interests, and hobbies.  He was a lover of everything involving the outdoors and was an avid hunter and sportsman who truly enjoyed watching the beauty of nature.  He liked to keep busy with his hands and was a talented woodworker who made countless items for his wife and family that will be cherished for generations.  His talent as a tool and die maker allowed him to create many intricate items for his family, and he was known as a handyman that could fix practically anything.  Joseph was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who cherished his family and loved spending time with them. He will be deeply missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him.

In addition to his wife of fifty-nine years, Joseph is survived by his children Susan Mazzone of Lexington, Sandy Mazzone of Gaston, and Joseph Mazzone III (Steven) of Inman.  There are four grandchildren:  Tyler and Nikki Owens, and Adrian and Madeline Scoggin.  There are seven great-grandchildren.  Joseph leaves behind his brothers Michael Mazzone (Betty) of Wolfeboro, NH, Robert Mazzone (Trisha) of Lexington, SC, and Anthony Mazzone (Lee) of Banner Elk, NC and Sister-in-Law Sarah Mazzone of Tewksbury, MA. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters Lucille Raskett (Don) and Dorothy Collura (Charlie), and by a brother Lawrence Mazzone.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff of Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home for their compassionate care during his final days.  They would also like to thank the entire Hematology/Oncology Staff at the Gibbs Cancer Center-Pelham.

Funeral services will be held Monday morning, May 15, 2023, at 11:00 in the chapel of Parker-Rhoden Funeral Home, with burial following in the Sandy Dam United Methodist Church Cemetery.  The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00, and in lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to the Gibbs Cancer and Research Institute in Spartanburg.  Parker-Rhoden Funeral Home, 117 Paul Street in Walterboro is in charge of arrangements.