Joseph (Joe) Lembo
April 19, 1954 ~ March 8, 2025
Born in:
Mount Vernon, New York
Resided in:
Suwanee, Georgia
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Joseph (Joe) Lembo on March 8, 2025.
Although he was born in New York (and never lost his accent), he loved his long-time adopted home in Georgia.
Joe was a beloved husband, father, pet-dad, brother, and friend who touched the lives of many with his kindness and reliability.
Joe led a remarkable life filled with various interests and accomplishments.
He was a mailman for many years during which time he made friendships that continued throughout his life. He also saved and adopted Torre and Aggie, two stray dogs that found him on his routes.
He was a retired teacher who educated and inspired his students in a number of areas, ranging from karate to life skills to history to emergency medicine. He was named Teacher of the Year in 2007.
Joe’s dedication to helping others was evident in his work and in the way he lived his life. His love for teaching was matched only by his commitment to personal growth. He achieved the rank of 6th degree black belt in karate, a testament to his discipline, strength, and perseverance. In his 50s, when others start thinking about retirement, Joe went back to college to achieve his EMT certification. As an EMT instructor, he helped teach others to save lives.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Joe was an animal lover and a culinary enthusiast who found joy in cooking and savoring good food. He had a profound impact on those around him, always ready to lend a hand or offer guidance. He was an amateur woodworker whose workshop brought him great joy.
As his illness robbed him of his favorite pastimes, he found comfort in connecting with friends through mailing newspaper clippings he believed they would find interesting. This gesture highlighted his enduring care and thoughtfulness.
Joe’s legacy will live on in the hearts of those who knew him, and his memory will be cherished forever.
He is survived by his wife Beth, his beloved son Matthew (Max) and his fur-babies: Emmy, Nikki and Paris.
A memorial service to celebrate Joe’s life will be held at 11:00AM on Monday, March 24, 2025 at Wages & Sons Funeral Home, 1031 Lawrenceville Hwy, Lawrenceville, GA 30046.
In accordance with the family’s wishes, no flowers or donations are requested.
Services
Reception: March 24, 2025 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Wages & Sons Gwinnett Chapel
1031 Lawrenceville Hwy.
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
770-277-4550
Memorial Service: March 24, 2025 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Wages & Sons Gwinnett Chapel
1031 Lawrenceville Hwy.
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
770-277-4550
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Rest in peace Joe. We will miss you and remember you and your thoughtful kindness.🙏
I was blessed to meet you and Beth through book club and enjoyed your stories and humor. My heart goes out to family and friends.
May you now rest in peace, Joe. I met you in the early 80’s sharing our passion for martial arts. You were a wonderful friend, teacher with a lot of patience. Soon after, I met Beth and we all became good friends, traveling and having great times together. Near or far, we remained friends……..xo
Joe, I consider myself so blessed to have known you. I’ll never forget you and Beth helping me to move to a home closer to my family. You painted, packed, repaired and did many other tasks to help complete my transition. You touched many lives in your time on earth and will be held in our hearts forever.
Fondly remembering Joe from many Sunday dinners Kevin and I enjoyed at Joe and Beth’s home by the lake during our early years in Georgia. Being the Italian he was, he always made me have an espresso before I left. Sunday nights sleep did not come easily thanks to Joe.
Rest in peace my friend you were a true gentleman. It was a pleasure to know you. It will be missed by all. My condolences to all to your family. You’re one hell of a martial artist. I remember sparring with you. You taught me a lot. Until we meet again amen
I had the pleasure of hanging out with Joe and Beth and had a great time at Stone Mountain
So sorry to see you go Joe. My memory of you in your interactions with students and with your peers in our organization was constructive and beneficial. I and we will miss you tremendously.
We’ve missed you at the Lake for some time now and we’re very happy we met you, Joe. As a fellow New Yorker, I always appreciated your accent and your history. You were a talented guy and all around Georgia lover. May you Rest In Peace🙏