Joseph M. Grandonico Merritt Island

Joseph M. Grandonico, 68, passed away on Monday, February 23, 2009, at Wuesthoff Brevard Hospice, from complications of pancreatic cancer. Joe was born in Northampton, MA and was a resident of Merritt Island, FL for 24 years.

He was an Air Force veteran serv ing in the Vietnam War, receiving many medals throughout his 22 plus years of service. Joe initially worked at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and then joined the 45th Security Forces Squadron at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida in October 1998 as the Combat Arms Manager and Lead Training Instructor. Here, he was responsible for providing training and weapons qualifications for the men and women of the 45th Space Wing and its mission partners. His reputation, experience and knowledge were unequaled. As an instructor, he was a major factor in the success of the wings 2006 and 2008 Guardian Challenge teams which won the coveted Schriever Trophy as the "Best Space Launch Wing" in Air Force Space Command for the third consecutive year. The Security Forces contingent, under his superb guidance, placed first among nine highly competitive teams in Combat marksmanship, significantly contributing to the wings overall success.

He also played an integral role in training the men and women who secure our critical national space and spacelift resources. Most importantly, Joe was instrumental in training personnel who were preparing for deployments in support of the Global War on Terrorism and Operations IRAQI and ENDURING FREEDOM. His efforts were crucial to our men and women acquiring the skill set to survive and operate in austere hostile- fire areas around the world. Joe received numerous awards and recognition throughout his tenure as a civil service member. He was the epitome of the Air Force core value of "Excellence in all we do" and his talents were the cornerstone of the units successes. Throughout Joes tenure, he trained thousands of Airmen, Department of Defense Law Enforcement Agencies and contractors in various weapons systems, ensuring all personnel were fully prepared to perform their mission for the USAF.Joe was a trusted confidant, friend and mentor who will be truly missed.

Surviving are his wife of 46 years, Mary Ann (Pietras) Grandonico; a brother, Tito and wife Michele Grandonico of Liberty, SC; two sons and their wives, Stephen and Robin Grandonico of Ocean Springs, MS and Michael and Simone Grandonico of Fort Lauderdale, FL; one daughter and her husband, Christine and Dean Lippold of North Pole, AK; three grandchil dren; two nephews; a niece and many friends. Joe was a devoted hus band, father and grandfa ther who touched the hearts of all who knew him. He was a member of the AF Security Forces Associ ation and Space Coast Cobra Car Club. He loved fishing, cars and Alaska. His smile and sense of humor will be missed. A memorial service will be held at Divine Mercy Catholic Church in Merritt Island on Saturday, Febru ary 28, 2009 at 10 a.m. A Celebration of his Life will immediately follow in the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, dona tions can be made to the USO, Wuesthoff Brevard Hospice or Florida Hospital Cancer Institute.