If Emidio “Joe” DiCarlo had his way, there would be no obituary at all. He preferred action to attention, deeds to words, and never sought recognition for the countless ways he enriched the lives of those around him. Yet those who knew and loved him understand that a life so well lived deserves to be remembered. 

Joe passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 28, 2026, with the love of his life, Judy, by his side. Born on September 1, 1937, in Newton, Massachusetts, he was the son of Joseph A. DiCarlo and Elizabeth A. Anzivino, both of Italian heritage. Joe graduated from Newton High School in 1955. A proud United States Marine, Joe served as a Corporal during the Korean War era following the armistice, carrying the values of service, hard work, integrity, and humility throughout his life. 

In the early 1960s, Joe worked at DiCarlo Bros., his family’s construction company based in Newton, Massachusetts, which consisted of his father and five uncles. Soon after, Joe moved to Hopkinton, Massachusetts, and started his first company, E.J. DiCarlo & Sons, specializing in drilling, blasting, utility work, and site development. Using skills he developed in the Marine Corps, Joe formed and led a dynamite crew, blasting through the hard rock around Campton, New Hampshire, during the construction of Interstate 93. He also installed the utilities from the highway to Waterville Valley and up the mountain to Waterville Estates. He later expanded into the earthmoving business before becoming a successful property developer and builder throughout Boston’s MetroWest region. What began as E.J. DiCarlo & Sons eventually evolved into High Acres Associates, Inc., a family business that continues to thrive today. The ingenuity, determination, and handson approach that defined his career would remain hallmarks of his character for the rest of his life.  

To know Joe was to know a man who could build, fix, grow, improve, and invent—and somehow make it all look effortless. A true Renaissance man, he was endlessly curious and remarkably resourceful, finding joy in solving problems, creating something from nothing, and always looking for a better way. If there was a challenge to tackle or a project to improve, Joe was already thinking several steps ahead. 

His passions were as varied as his talents. Joe loved traveling with Judy to the island of Moorea in French Polynesia, where they spent many winters creating lasting friendships with Tahitian residents. They moved to Florida in 2005, where he enjoyed beekeeping and harvesting honey, watching birds, tending his garden, crafting his own private-label wine, and contributing his time and skills to causes he believed in. 

Joe cared deeply about the future of Ponce Inlet. He volunteered for six years at the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse and served for ten years on the town’s Planning Board, helping preserve the town’s character during a time of growth and change. His dedication earned him recognition from the Citizens for Ponce Inlet organization as their 2019 Citizen of the Year and recipient of the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award. Joe was also honored with a Congressional Hometown Hero Award. Whether it was a garden, a project, a friendship, or an idea, Joe took pride in helping things grow. Most recently, he devoted himself to the expansion of the Ponce Inlet Veterans Memorial, reflecting his lifelong commitment to service and honoring those who served before him. 

For all he accomplished, Joe remained remarkably humble. He never sought credit and was quick to acknowledge the contributions of others. He valued competence, honesty, humility, and hard work, and had little patience for arrogance, firmly believing that no person was more important than another. 

Joe also knew how to enjoy life. Twice a week, you could find him with the “Men of Bocce,” enjoying friendly competition, lively conversation, and the company of good friends. His quick wit, infectious sense of humor, and collection of unforgettable “Joe-isms” became part of the fabric of family gatherings and friendships alike. Among his favorites were: 

“Don’t be a Mamaluke!” 

“Green is Closer.” 

“It’s not like we lost... we just didn’t win.” 

“To make a long story short...” 

“You writing a book?... Leave that chapter out.” 

“Read between the lines!”

Above all else, Joe was devoted to his friends and family. Nothing brought him greater pride or happiness than the people he loved. At the center of it all was Judy, his wife, partner, and best friend, who shared in every adventure, project, and chapter of a life well lived together. 

He is survived by his beloved wife, Judy Jane Korkames DiCarlo; his children, Emidio Joseph “Joe-D” DiCarlo and his wife, Kim; Gina Melnick; John DiCarlo; Andrea Malm and her husband, Dan; and Michelle DiCarlo Domey and her husband, Chris; his grandchildren, Gabriella Melnick, Gianna DiCarlo, Emidio Joseph DiCarlo, Carson Domey, Virginia Malm, and Jackson Malm; his siblings, Ann Marie Regan, Leonard DiCarlo, and Elizabeth DiCarlo and her wife, Beverly; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and dear friends whose lives were enriched by knowing him. 

A Funeral Mass will be held at Epiphany Catholic Church, 201 Lafayette Street, Port Orange, Florida, at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 23, 2026. A private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ponce Inlet Veterans Memorial Association: www.Ponceinletveterans.org