Mr. Joseph "Joe" Girone

July 2, 1925 - April 6, 2019

Mr. Joe Girone, 93, of Albany, died Saturday, April 6, 2019 at his residence. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 12, 2019 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church with interment to follow in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Sylvester. The Rev. Reed Freeman is officiating. Mr. Girone was born on July 2, 1925, in Wellsburg, WV to the late Guy and Angela Girone. He was one of seven children, 5 boys and 2 girls, and worked in his father’s grocery store as a young boy. Enlisting in the Marine Corps as soon as he could, he would be on a landing ship heading to Japan when the war ended. During his time as a Marine, he would be stationed in China, California, New Orleans, North Carolina and Albany. While in Albany, he was responsible for the installation of the first Marine computerization of the supply division’s requisitioning system. After his retirement from the military as a Master Sergeant, he had a successful career in real estate. He was a member of the American Legion, VFW, the Elks Club, and Stonebridge Country Club. Survivors include his children by his first wife, Jerry Girone, Jan Marlow, and John Girone of Rockford, IL; sister Martha Lallone; sister in law Joyce Girone and her children Chris and Jim; step-granddaughters Joanna and Caroline Crews, and an “adopted” daughter Mary King Givens. The family is so appreciative of the help provided to Joe by a very caring neighbor, Valerie Barton. He was predeceased by his wife, Grace Smith Girone on October 24, 2013, her daughter, Vicki Lynn Crews in 2003, his parents, and brothers Anthony, Angelo, John, James and sister Thelma. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 212 N. Jefferson St., Albany, GA 31791. Please sign our online guest registry at www.banksfh.com Banks Funeral Home in Sylvester is in charge of arrangements.