Wilmington - Joseph Francis Farri, a longtime resident of Wilmington, friend to many, and active in his church and community, died on June 7th, 2026 under hospice care at his home.  He had been diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia only a few months earlier. He was 77 years old.

Joe was born in Washington, DC to Alice Lavern Davies and Joseph Arthur Farri, and grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, where he attended Lutheran schools.  Graduating from Concordia Teachers' College in Illinois and serving a teaching internship in New York, he then studied at Indiana State University, completing the Masters' program in history before moving to Florida, where he taught school in Delray Beach.

He subsequently worked as a pharmaceutical sales representative moving to Breyenton, Florida.  In 1984, he met and married Judy Mitchell. He completed commercial school training for Computer Aided Drafting and began work as a civil engineer drafter, retiring in 2011.

Their move to Wimington, North Carolina in retirement brought Judy employment as a legal assistant and Joe to volunteer work with charities. He was especially active at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, where he served multiple terms on the Vestry, and taught adult religious education classes. Judy participated at St. Paul's as a reader of scripture lessons at worship services. Joe was a dedicated supporter and volunteer at Good Shepherd Ministries and supporter of the North Side Co-op. Judy died of dementia in 2023 with Joe having cared for her at home for several years.

Joe's brother James predeceased him.  He is survived by his cousins, Robert Snarrenburg, James Snarrenburg, and Mary Nattinger; as well as his faithful dogs, BearCat II and Lovely Rita.

Services are not currently scheduled.

Tranquility Cremation by Aquamation

910-769-1615