Final Salute

Joseph John Cerminaro of Kings Creek, NC entered into eternal life on September 20, 2025. Joe will always be remembered for his love and dedication to his family as well as kindness to others. He was a generous man; a problem-solver who was always willing to share his time, knowledge, and skills to help those around him.

He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Antoinette Cerminaro, his siblings Carmella Gerchman, Jane Moran, Frank, Rosario, Santo, Anthony and James Cerminaro.

He is survived by his wife and partner of 40 years, Deborah; his children Joseph (Wanda) Cerminaro, Marianne (Ahmed) Ziani, Maureen Martinez, Daniel (Maggie) Cerminaro, Patricia Ponce, Michael (Lyn) Cerminaro; his stepchildren Dan (Jenny) Early, Carrie (Blaine) Mull, Amy (Jackie) Maddox, John (Starla) Early; 9 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

Joe was born on April 8, 1938 in Carbondale, PA. He graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School in 1956. He proudly served as a Navy Seabee, the construction battalions of the U.S. Navy that build bases, airfields, and critical facilities around the world. Rising to the rank of Chief Petty Officer (E-7), he completed two tours in Vietnam and later served as an instructor teaching Naval Disaster Recovery. After retiring from the Navy with 20 years of honorable service, Joe earned his degree in Vocational Education from West University of Florida. He lived and worked in a few locations while exploring his longtime hobby of farming. He moved to NC in 1982 and worked for a few years at W.A. Brown Refrigeration. Joe then served for the next ten years as the Physical Plant Manager at Lenoir Rhyne College and Mars Hill College. In 1994 he worked for Caldwell County Schools, as the Director of Maintenance, until he retired in 2005.

Never one to sit still, Joe established Cerminaro Vineyard & Winery and spent the next 10 plus years growing grapes, producing wine and sharing across NC at festivals, trade shows, and other events. Hobbies he enjoyed throughout retirement included oil painting, fishing, and traveling abroad with his family.

A private memorial service celebrating Joseph’s life will be held at a later time.

The family encourages friends to send online condolences to them at www.greer-mcelveenfuneralhome.com.