Brigadier General Joseph B. DiBartolomeo
October 12, 1950 ~ January 31, 2025
Born in:
Steubenville, Ohio
Resided in:
Weirton, West Virginia
Joseph Bernardino DiBartolomeo, 74, of Weirton, WV, passed away on Friday, January 31, 2025 after a 15-year battle with cancer, leaving behind a legacy of unwavering dedication, loyalty, and profound commitment to his family, his country, and his heritage.
Born in Steubenville, Ohio on October 12, 1950, Joseph was a son of Osvaldo and Gina Guidone DiBartolomeo.
Joe’s life was defined by his humility, fierce independence, and an unwavering pride in his Italian heritage. He found immense joy in hosting family and friends at his home. His commitment to family was matched only by his pride in seeing his children follow in his military footsteps, a testament to his legacy of service and honor.
A graduate of Weir High School, Joe’s commitment to education was evident, having earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, a master’s in professional accounting, and a Juris Doctorate, all from West Virginia University. He also attended the University of Notre Dame and prestigious programs such as the Army Strategic Leadership Development Course and the National Defense University’s CAPSTONE.
As an accountant for Deloitte & Touche, an attorney or the City Manager of Weirton and Follansbee, WV, Joe was a man who lived by the principles of hard work, and integrity. His humility and service were often understated, yet his actions spoke volumes about the kind of person he was.
A man of high integrity and patriotism, Joe served his country with distinction in the United States Marine Corp, the United States Army and Army National Guard. His military career spanned decades, culminating in his promotion to Brigadier General. As the Deputy Commanding General (Reserve Component) for Special Forces Command-Airborne at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Joe was entrusted with advising the Commanding General on all Army National Guard matters, ensuring the integration of the Guard into key operational plans. His service took him to critical assignments around the world, including his role as Deputy Chief, Office of Defense Representative-Pakistan, and his leadership in Special Operations Command in Europe and Bosnia.
Joe was known for his selflessness and decision to not take a promotion at the risk of his soldiers’ safety—an act that exemplified his dedication to those he served with. He was a leader who believed in doing what was right, not what was easy. His legacy as a soldier is honored with numerous awards, including the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Special Forces Tab, among many others.
Most of all, Joe was a true family man who led his loved ones with kindness, strength, and unwavering devotion. He cherished his wife, Maria, he built a life filled with love and laughter by her side. As a father, he guided his children with wisdom and encouragement, always putting their happiness and success above all else. His greatest joy was watching them grow, embracing his role as a proud grandfather with warmth and affection.
Locally, Joe was a member of Saint Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church, and the ISDA- Weirtonian Lodge.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and his father-in-law, Armando D’Amico.
He will be remembered with love by his wife, Maria D’Amico DiBartolomeo, whom he married on October 29, 1988; his daughter and son-in-law, Dr. Christina and Dr. Ben Boswell, and their daughter, Ariana and son, Alexander Joseph due in March of 2025; his son and daughter-in-law, Joseph DiBartolomeo and Danielle, along with their daughter, Lola Jo; his brother, Carlo; Maria’s family, Adalgisa D’Amico, Joseph (Sandy) D’Amico Michael (Michelle) D’Amico, and Michele (Rocky) Bragg; special cousins, Maryann Atwell, Fernanda Capaldi, Roseann D’Amico and Garen and Deana DiBartolomeo; many nieces, nephews and friends.
Joe’s legacy of love and dedication will continue to live on through his family he nurtured and the values he instilled in them
Joe’s family will honor his wish for family private services. He will be laid to rest at Saint Paul’s Cemetery with military honors.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.
Share tributes with his family at www.grecohertnick.com
Charities
The family greatly appreciates donations made to these charities in Brigadier General Joseph B. DiBartolomeo 's name.
My deepest sympathy to all. Joe was a great man, he will be missed 🙏🙏🙏
Maria and family, deepest sympathy for your loss.
So very sorry for your loss. Prayers to his family.
Un abbraccio a Maria Cristina e Joe e alle loro famiglie 😘
Maria and family, So sorry to hear of Joe passing! May God bless you with all the good memories! He was so proud when he spoke of his children with me. We had great conversations and I will miss him! Karen and I wish you and your family comfort. RIP Joe a true warrior and a soldier of Christ!
Maria and family, so sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. We didn’t know Joe very well, but only heard good things about him. He will be missed by family and friends
Keeping you close in thoughts and prayers.
Sincere sympathy,
Ken and Darla Ogle
Maria and family, so sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. We didn’t know Joe very well, but only heard good things about him. He will be missed by family and friends
Keeping you close in thoughts and prayers.
Sincere sympathy,
Ken and Darla Ogle
My deep condolences to all of the family and his friends. I have known Joe since high school and he was always an outstanding, kind person.
Maria and family my deepest sympathy on your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all 🙏💕🙏💕🙏💕
My deepest condolences to the family, I worked with Joe at the City of Weirton back in the day when he was the City Attorney. He was an outstanding person of the highest character. May his memory be a blessing .
To Maria and family, Mary and I were stunned to learn of Joe’s passing. He was an incredibly gifted man and committed to making WV better. He stoically dealt with his cancer and never complained. Joe will be missed by us all…. but you need to know he made a difference for all of us. So sorry for your loss.
Maria, so sorry for your loss. Prayers for you and your entire family.
Maria, Please accept our deepest condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Maria, Joe, and Christina, Please accept my sincere sympathy . Your husband and father was such a great man and respected by so many! He was a great tribute to your family and our country ! God bless him !
Deepest sympathy on you’re loss.
Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
My deepest sympathy to the entire DiBartolomeo family. I’ve know Joe for many years and he was an amazing human being. Joe, you fought the good fight and now it’s time to rest soldier.
A great soldier who epitomized the values of Special Forces. DOL Brother
Dear Christina
I am shocked and so sad about loss of your father. A strong man and loving dad. Wish I could pay respects in person. Wishing you peace in memories of happiest days.
I had the honor of knowing Joe and cutting his hair for several years at Farrans Barbershop. I always enjoyed our conversations , his kind, confident and gentle manner. He always without fail asked about friends we had in common. He was an asset to our country and community. Rest Easy my friend, you will be truly missed.
Thoughts and prayers to your family worked with Joe and enjoyed the time working with him and had the utmost respect for him.
Bill Secrist
So sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. He truly was a great man. He will be missed. Take care and god bless. We went to school with Joe.
May God Bless his family and friends at this difficult time.
Carol Kraina
Maria and Family,
Please accept my condolences and sympathy during this very dark hour. Joe left an enduring legacy of care, concern, and love. Certainly, this is evidenced by the tremendous amount of notes, prayers, and thoughts to you and your family. May my remembrance wrap around you and your children, like a warm blanket; and provide a gentle balm to your hurting heart.
“When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.” Henri J.M. Nouwen, Dutch author and Catholic priest.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
With deepest sympathy,
Mike Lustri
Our deepest sympathy to the family. My god bless you all during this time.
Maria and family,
Please accept our sincerest condolences on the loss of Joe. May he rest in peace and may you be comforted by warm memories of time spent with him for as long as you live.
Sincerely,
Rich Heath & Jen Welch, 2nd cousins
Joe epitomized the terms “Quiet Professional”, “American Hero”, and “Family Man”!!
He was a fellow soldier, true friend and role model!!
Joe was so proud of his family!!
We shared hard times training together and a lot of laughs!
He was loved and respected by all he served with!!
Rest in peace brother!!
Sincere condolences 🕯
Heartfelt Blessings from the Kozdras family! Joe truly inspired all of us young athletes.
Maria, Christina, Joey and families,
We are so sorry for your loss. We will always remember Joe at your family gatherings and ISDA functions. May he RIP with the angels and God. Praying for all of you. ✝️🙏🏻✝️🙏🏻
I worked as one of Weirton’s city clerks more than 25yrs ago when Joe was City Attorney. Any time that I sought his advice or felt the need to check with Joe, he would make the time for me and listen intently. He was extremely helpful and truly looked out for the city’s best interest. So sorry to hear of his passing. My sincere condolences to Joe’s family.
My deepest sympathy for you and your family. Joe helped me in many ways throughout our time in the military
Robert and Patty Capito
Robert and Patty Capito
My prayers are with you and I extend my deepest sympathy to all of the Debartolomeo family. I enjoyed talking with Joe and getting to know him. Sincerely. Nick Cekinovich.
Joe was a amazing man. I have known him for over 20 years. He had a great sense of humor and just a amazing person.
My love and prayers to Maria and his family. He will be greatly missed.
May the love of God surround you and your family during this difficult time,
May you come to know that the love of God is with you always,
May your memories of Brigadier General Joseph B. DiBartolomeo, give you peace, comfort and strength…
Rest now in the arms of our Lord your mission on earth is complete.
I thank you for your service to our Country and my Freedom. You will not be forgotten…
My thoughts
and prayers to the family of ….
US Marine/Army Veteran, Brigadier General Joseph B. DiBartolomeo, is “A True American Hero” God Bless†
† Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 †
Maria,
I am very sorry for your loss. I enjoyed hearing you speak of Joe.
He truly seemed to be one of a kind.
Best,
xo
Glenda Harlan
I was very honored to have served and know Gen. Joe. He was a great leader and a good man. He will be remembered. Bill Suver
Maria, Christina, and Joey,
I am so sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. I just wanted you to know thst my thoughts and prayers are with you all.
In sympathy,
Jenny Anderson
DiBartolomeo family,
So sorry about this irreplaceable loss. Got to work with Joe when I was County Commissioner. He was a huge help with myself and Paul Lautamus to secure a $2.7 million grant to upgrade the emergency radio communication system for all of Hancock County. Never would have happened without him. His traits of Dignity, Honor and Integrity was how he served and how he’ll be remembered. RIP
Dear Maria, and family:
Our deepest sympathy is sent to you and your entire family during this difficult time.
I had the pleasure of meeting Joe only once. He was such a kind man. When engaging in a conversation about his dedicated service to our great country, he was humble and proud. The wonderful traits Joe possessed in integrity, hard work and respect for education has moved forward in your children and they, too, will pass that same mindset to your grandchildren. Joe’s beautiful legacy has inspired all of us to be our best, and will continue to hold a special place in our hearts and our memories.
Sending love, and our thoughts and prayers to all of you.
Romeo and Lorraine Pascasio
Deepest sympathy and condolence’s. I have many memories going up to the DiBartolomeo (Osvaldo & Gina) home growing up with my grandparents (Nicola & Assunta D’Angelo) & my parents (John & Nina Semerakis). Joe was my godfather when I was baptized at St. Paul’s church. Prayers for strength and comfort.
Xoxox,
Victoria Baker
We are so very sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. I worked for Joe at the City of Weirton when he was City Prosecutor. He was the best and an inspiration to those who knew him. We spent many good times with Joe who will always be a part of our lives. You will be in our thoughts and continued prayers for God’s comfort and peace!
Maria, Christina and Joey,
You were the love of Joe’s life – and such a full life he lived. We are so proud to have called him our friend. He was so generous to us with his time, talent and knowledge of everything from wine, gardening, tile work, design and yes, finances… So proud of his Italian heritage and so humble about his role as a patriot – nothing short of a hero. May God give you what you need at this time and we pray that the love you shared and the memories you have will help you through the days to come. Our hearts are full. We are better having known him.
The Wilcox family sends our deepest sympathies for your loss. May God keep you in his loving arms as you suffer this great loss. Celebrate this wonderful man with your wonderful memories. Love to you all.
To Maria and family,
I worked along side when he was the City Attorney and I was the Personnel/Benefits Director for the City of Weirton. Joe was decent and inspirational and a man of integrity who called things as they were and spoke his mind. It was a privilege to work with him and to call him a friend. I pray Our Lord will comfort and console all of you as only he can. God Bless you and my sincere sympathies. Jeri Lynn Dodson
Joe believed in me & supported me during a very difficult period of my life. He did all that he could to make things better for me. My husband Tommy & I were blessed to have known him, if only for a short time. We will be praying for all of his family members and for Joe’s eternal peace.
RIP my friend. We have lost a really good person. Thanks for what you did for me and my son. God be with your family.
It was a shock to hear of Joe’s passing. I knew Joe for a long time since we met at St. Paul’s Church and have been friends since then. We also went to school together and graduated from Weir High. May you rest in peace Joe. God Bless You All now and always. Our deepest condolences on your loss. Teresa Bruno McCombs and Harold McCombs and Frank Bruno.
I worked with Gen D as his executive assistant while he served as the Deputy Commanding General at 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne). He was a kind, warm-hearted man who always thought of the Soldiers and Civilians before himself.
My fondest memory of him and his beautiful Family was when he invited my daughter and I to the beach for the day. We spent the the day sharing Family stories, homemade Italian wine, and had an amazing dinner cooked by his mother-in-law. His Family meant everything to him.
He will be greatly missed. Now, he’s a guardian angel watching over us all.
It is with heartfelt sorrow on this great loss to the family and all in the City of. Weirton. Many times with Joe over the years, we shared his friendliness and helpfulness.
Sincerely,
Kathy and Stathis Alatis
My sincere and deepest condolences 💐 to you and your family 🙏🏼