Joseph A. Bellosi, 89, of Vero Beach, FL., passed away peacefully with his wife at his side February 1, 2019 at the VNA Hospice House after a year-long battle with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.  He was born in Washington, D.C. in 1929 to the late Amerigo and Ernestine Bellosi and grandson of the late Salvatore and Julia Briguglio.  Joe was very proud of his Italian heritage being a first generation Italian-American.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Elizabeth Jean Bellosi and his children, Barbara Portalea (Jorge);  Joey Bellosi (Sharon); granddaughter Angela Klahr; grandson Tony Portalea(Christine) great grandson Lorenzo Portalea; sister Rose (Robert) Owens and many nieces and nephews.

He was pre-deceased by daughter Julia and her husband Tommy Klahr; his sister Cecelia Marshall; and brothers John and Marco Bellosi.

As a young man he opened the sightseeing company, Grace Lines, with his first wife, Grace Davis in Washington, D. C.. He then spent a number of years in the building business.  In 1971 he opened Mama Bellosi's Owl & Tortoise restaurant in Washington, D.C.  At the same time he took over the Laurel Diner & Motel in Laurel, MD. and spent a summer season operating the Ship's Café in Ocean City, MD.  In 1981 he opened Camilo's Italian Restaurant in Waldorf, MD.  He finally retired in 1984 but he continued to love the restaurant business.

Joe loved cooking Italian food having learned at his Mother's side. When he cooked, he always cooked in large quantities putting it away in portion-controlled sizes for two people.  When he passed, he left his wife with freezers full of soups and sauces.

Joe was an avid fan of thoroughbred horse racing and at one time participated in partial ownership of a number of race horses. Joe took up golf when he moved to Florida in 1989 and by the time he turned 80 his handicap was in the 80s.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 23, 2019 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 595 Third Street, N. W., Washington, D. C.

Anyone wishing to send the family a message or share a story is asked to visit Joe's Memorial page at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com