Joseph Richard Diaz, a longtime resident of Pembroke Lakes died suddenly and unexpectedly at his parents’ home on Saturday April 2, 2022. He was 60 years young.

Joe is predeceased by his mother Wanda M. Diaz and father Narcisus R. Diaz, and his nephews David Diaz and Mark Diaz. He is survived by his former wife Lynn Koslen, his son Joseph Richard Diaz, Jr., his beloved cats Jags and Maggie, brothers Michael and wife Kathleen, William and wife Patricia, Adolfo and wife Yvonne, and sister Carmen Escobar. Uncle Joes also leaves behind his brother’s and sister’s sons and daughters Thomas Diaz, Nicklas Diaz, Austin Diaz, David Escobar, their wives and children, Lauren Vieira, Michele Diaz, Natalie Riccio, Alexis Diaz and their husbands and children. All whom loved and will miss him dearly.

Joe was born on June 21, 1961, at Sidi Slimane Air Force Base in Morocco. He moved to the US with his family in 1962 and following his father’s return from Vietnam in 1968 moved to Miami, Florida where he grew up attending South Miami Heights Elementary School, Caribbean Elementary School, Mays Junior High School and graduated from Miami Southridge Senior High School in 1979. He attended Florida State University and earned a BS in Interior Design. Following college Joe moved to Pembroke Lakes where he started a rust removing and pressure cleaning business. For the last 20 years he spent much of his time caring for his mother and father’s house and helping his neighbors. Much like his father Joe had an IQ over 150, was very analytical, mechanically oriented, a gifted artist, talented musician, a graceful dancer, and athletic. He played youth football and soccer and in high school, was on the water polo team, and in the marching/concert band. Joe’s preferred mode of transportation was his unicycle on which he could be seen at school, after hours all over the neighborhood, the Cutler Ridge Mall and later on campus at FSU. He later traded his unicycle straight up for a broken-down minibike which he refurbished and rode like it was a Harley. Joe loved working on cars, especially with his father. However, there were three hobbies Joe loved most – drawing, painting, and building plastic aircraft models. He was meticulous.

Joe loved his neighbors and always had a bottle water ready for their dogs when they walked by the house. Not surprisingly they all loved him back. He loved watching the Military Channel, watching airplanes, talking politics, was a staunch Conservative, proud supporter of President Donald J. Trump, proud American, loved his country and all who served in the military and was a proud supporter of the Wounded Warrior Project. Very civic minded he supported the police, fire fighters and all first responders. These passions of his were displayed for all to see on flags that adorned his parents’ house. Above all else, Joe was passionate about FSU football. He wore the Garnet and Gold daily, and yes, as with all his passions, proudly.

Fun facts – his nick name was Squirrel, he was born with curly blonde hair, he slept with his teddy bear until he was almost a teenager, loved to pick feathers from his pillow, threw lightning-fast karate punches that landed like a sledgehammer, and loved to drink Dr. Pepper.

A celebration service of Joe’s life will be held at Boyd-Panciera Funeral home at 1600 N University Drive, Pembroke Pines On TBD.

In lieu of flowers, Joe would ask that a donation be made in his name to the Wounded Warrior Project. To make a donation please visit web site www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate. God Bless.