Joseph “Joe” Pullara III, age 53, of Tryon, N.C. passed to eternal life on Tuesday, April 19, 2016 in Hendersonville, N.C.

Born on August 24, 1962 in Winter Park, Fla. Joe graduated Bishop Moore Catholic High School and attended Valencia College in Orlando, Fla. In 1981, Joe, with his parents and siblings, moved to Rome, Italy. Young Joe was given the privilege of serving as cook for the Paulist Fathers at Santa Susanna Roman Catholic Church. There he learned to speak Italian and cook in the classical Italian style.

After almost two years in Rome, the family moved back to Florida where Joe met his wife Della. They were married, and started their family soon after. In 1992, Joe and family moved to Tryon. Over the years he worked for Flagstar Cos. Inc., Advantica Restaurant Group, Inc. and IBM before accepting a position as Director of Project Delivery in IS Projects at Sealed Air Corporation in Duncan, S.C., where he continued to work.

A man of great faith, Joe Pullara III was a devout Catholic, a third degree Knight of Columbus, and served as a lector and CCD teacher at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Tryon.

Joe was an integral part of almost everything that took place in town. He served on the board of the Tryon Little Theater, and as an avid brewer he worked tirelessly for, and was chairman of, the Tryon Beer Festival for the past two years.

A life-long musician, Joe played the French horn, the trumpet, tuba and the trombone. He marched for his high school band program. His passion for music was passed on to his children. Together they performed many times with the Tryon Little Theater and at St. John’s in Tryon. He and his wife dedicated their summer vacation time over the course of eight years to cooking for the Polk County High School Band.

Throughout his life he volunteered countless hours helping others, though first and foremost Joe was a family man. He put his wife and children above all else. He was a man with an abundance of love to share, and share it he did. Everyone in his life felt his joyful spirit, and he was a blessing to all who had the pleasure of meeting him. His smile and grace will be remembered always.

In addition to his wife, Della Pullara, he is survived by his parents, June Weite Pullara and Joseph Pullara, Jr., of Altamonte Springs Fla.; his children Hector Gonzalez, Joseph Pullara IV, Benjamin Pullara, Jessica Pullara and grandson, Isidro Gonzalez, all of Tryon; his sisters, Peggy Williams (Bill) of Altamonte Springs, Patti Albers (George) of Longwood, Fla. and Cindy Shillings (Curtis) of East Greenwich, R.I.; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

He is also survived by countless friends and all of the town of Tryon, N.C., the town he called home, the town that loves him dearly.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, April 22  at 4 p.m. at Sunnydale in Tryon. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Tryon Downtown Development Association, 231 N. Trade St., Tryon, NC 28782.

Submitted by Lauren Roy