Joseph Vincent Gildea

August 17, 1935 - February 17, 2022

Joseph Vincent Gildea age 86 of Cambridge, passed away on Thursday, February 17, 2022 at the Truman Hospice House in New Philadelphia. He was born on August 17, 1935 in Salesville, a son of the late Earnest A. Gildea and Rose L. (Klingenberg) Gildea. Mr. Gildea served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1955 to 1959. During the Korean War, he served up and down the Carribean seven times and was involved in the 1958 Beirut Lebanon Crisis. He had been stationed in Great Lakes, WI., Key West, FL., San Marcos and in the Mediterranean around Greece, Turkey. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus 4th degree and the Valley Grange 7th degree. In 1967 he was featured on the cover of Life Magazine for being a top salesman for Nationwide Insurance. Joe was a Nationwide Insurance Agent for 60 years, from 1960 to 2020. He was a devoted member of Christ Our Light Parish in Cambridge. Joe leaves: daughters, Suzanne Gildea - Dych and Kathleen Gildea; a son Josh (Amanda) Brown - Gildea; granddaughter Nikki Dych; siblings, Rosemary Sebek, James (Sally) Gildea, Ernestine Soller and Ann Woods; 32 nieces and nephews, 41 great nieces and nephews and 13 great great nieces and nephews; his significant other Betty Murphy; and many lifelong friends. He is preceded in death by his parents and a brother John Gildea. Visitation will be at Christ Our Light Parish from 10 am to 11 am with the Funeral Mass to begin at 11 am on Tuesday, February 22, 2022. Father Paul Hrezo will officiate with burial to follow in St. Patrick Cemetery in Salesville. In lieu of flowers please have a Mass said in memory of Joe at Christ Our Light Parish. Joe’s online guest book and service recording will be available at www.bundy-lawfuneralhome.com.