Joseph Thomas DeCuzzi

Joseph Thomas DeCuzzi, 79, of Gilbert, Arizona, passed away on August 15, 2026.

Born January 26, 1947, in Brooklyn, New York, Joe was drafted into the United States Army and served a year in Vietnam, an experience that would shape the course of his life's work. Upon returning home, he earned a Master's degree from Columbia University in Social Work, dedicating his career to helping people confront and overcome the traumas of addiction. His own service gave him a deep well of empathy and understanding that made him a trusted guide for so many who walked a similar path, and he took great pride in that work throughout his life.

A proud son of Brooklyn to the end, Joe remained a die-hard Yankees fan no matter how far he roamed from home, even taking his daughter Dana to the 2001 World Series to watch his beloved team fall to the Diamondbacks, a memory they treasured together regardless of the outcome. He had little patience for fish or vegetables, but a plate of pasta and meatballs could always win him over. His knowledge of music, movies, and history was impressive and spanned multiple generations. Throughout his adult life, a cat was never far, a constant, quiet companion to the very end. Though he could be gruff, Joe loved fiercely, and he made certain the people in his circle always knew it. He is survived by his daughter, Dana DeCuzzi of Brooklyn, New York; his sister, Faithe Berger of Bluffton, South Carolina; and his cat, Tamu of Gilbert, Arizona.