Joseph "Pete" Minerva

Joseph Peter (“Pete”) Minerva, Jr. died on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, in Lakeland, Florida, following a battle with lung cancer. 

Pete was born on June 29, 1940, in New York. Pete was the second child of Joseph Peter Minerva, Sr. and Josephine Grosso Minerva, both of whom preceded him in death.

Pete is survived by his children, Deborah Jean (Steven Conley) and Anthony Paul (Julie); his stepdaughter, Traci Goddard; his brothers, Michael J. Minerva, Sr. and Robert E. Minerva; as well as nieces, nephews, and other loving extended family members and friends. 

Pete graduated from Summerlin Institute (now Bartow High School) in 1959. During his high school years, he was an accomplished student-athlete who proudly lettered in baseball and, in the summertime, played on the American Legion baseball team. 

From June 1960 to March 1964, Pete honorably served as an Airman First Class in the United States Air Force, receiving the Air Force Good Conduct Medal in June 1963, issued by Special Order #A-215 from Headquarters 2187th Communications Squadron. It was while in the Air Force that Pete took up cigarette smoking, a habit that would remain with him for the rest of his life. 

Pete was employed by the State of Florida as a Child Support Enforcement Investigator for the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, and he retired after a distinguished career in 2005. Pete had a strong work ethic and was proud to provide for his family. When finances were tight, Pete worked part-time with REGIS performing after-hours inventory control to help make ends meet. 

Pete married his second wife, June H. Minerva, on February 26, 2000, after reconnecting at a high school reunion. Pete was a devoted husband to June, and together they enjoyed attending movies at the Polk Theater, watching the Tampa Bay Rays games in St. Petersburg, and eating out at Fish City Grill in Lakeside Village, Lakeland. Pete was never happier than during the time he was with June. 

Pete never lost his love for all types of athletic activities. He enjoyed playing softball, golf, and bowling, and his children attribute his long life of good health to his commitment to daily exercise. It was thankfully only in the last few years of Pete’s life that health challenges emerged. After his lung cancer diagnosis and during what would end up being the last year of his life, Pete expressed deep regret at the one weakness he had allowed himself -- his daily cigarettes. 

Pete enjoyed a good laugh and was a practical joker. He appreciated funny (or punny) birthday cards instead of any sappy sweet sentiments. Pete was well-read, which contributed to him being great at trivia, especially sports and history. His children remember receiving a board game one Christmas based on people and events chronicled in pages of Life Magazine. Although the game started with the whole family playing, it quickly became a contest solely between Pete and his older brother, Michael, the only ones who learned enough to compete. 

You never doubted Pete’s love though he wasn’t one to express it verbally very often. But in the weeks leading up to his passing, Pete became effusive and eloquent about his feelings with those who were close to him. 

Pete’s final moments were not easy, as final moments never are, but he kept his sense of humor. During his last moments of lucidity, after telling his kids again how much he loved and appreciated them, his final words were, “Did you remember to bring me my cigarettes?” A wisecracker to the very end. 

A private service was held in Pete’s honor. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in memory of Pete be made to the Alzheimer's Association (online at Alzheimer's Association ), in honor of his beloved late wife, June.