Joseph Martin Duarte, a life-long resident of Truro, passed away at his home on November 15, 2014. The loving husband of Peggy (Simms) Duarte, they would have celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary on November 30th.
Born in Provincetown, he was the son of the late Joseph and Ethel M. (Jason) Duarte. Joe graduated from Admiral Farragut Academy in St. Petersburg, FL and Leicester (MA) College in 1962.
In the summer of 1962, Joe started working at Duarte Motors in Provincetown with his dad. They both enjoyed the camaraderie and good times with their employees and customers. The garage was a great gathering place for many generations of Lower Cape folks. When the Chevrolet and Oldsmobile dealership closed in 1983, Joe devoted his time to running the parking lot in Provincetown and Duarte Liquors in Truro, He found the parking lot to be an exciting business and he enjoyed meeting and greeting the public from our country and abroad.
Joe was also active in the community. He was the first President of the Lower Cape Rotary Club and was the recipient of the Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow Award. He served on the Board of the Truro Historical Society and the Truro Wage and Personnel Board. He was a member of the Walter Welsh Council, Knights of Columbus, the President of the Highland Fish and Game Club, and a member of the Barnstable County League of Sportsman.
Joe was the devoted father of Alicia A. Duarte and Allison R. Duarte. In addition to his wife and daughters, he is survived by his brother David M. Duarte and sister Donna M. Duarte, both of Oregon. His brother-in-law Bill Simms and his wife Nancy of Fallston, MD., nephew Matt Simms and his wife Wendy and his niece Kathryn Simms Cox and husband Ryan and great niece Cassidy Cox all of Bel Air, MD also survive him, as well as many cousins and family friends.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am Thursday, November 20th, in St. Peter the Apostle Church, Prince Street, Provincetown. Burial will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Truro.
If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Truro Rescue Squad, PO Box 2013, Truro, MA 02666-2013.