Joseph Franklin Gazzo

Mr. Joseph "Joe" Franklin Gazzo, 88, of Bilox, MS, passed away Sunday, September 27, 2009, in Mobile. Joe was a Biloxi Native, lifelong resident, and was proud to say he was from Possum Neck. He was a veteran of WW II, having honorably served in the U. S. Navy. Joe dedicated his life to public service, first as a Biloxi Police Officer and then as a Mississippi State Trooper. He retired from the Mississippi Department of Public Safety after a distinguished career of more than 30 years. His dedication to law enforcement and the exemplary standard he set on the Mississippi Highway Patrol led his two sons and a grandson to follow in his footsteps as Mississippi State Troopers. Mr. Gazzo was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Lottie Gazzo, and a sister, Eunice. He is survived by his wife, Ardith; sons, Joe and Vernon Gazzo; four step-children, Ricky, Terry, Randy, and Freida, and their spouses; fourteen grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. Joe was extremely proud of his family and fondly called the grandchildren and great grandchildren "Little Pelicans". Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 30, 2009, at 1:30 p.m. at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 675 Howard Avenue, in Biloxi where friends may visit from 11:30 a.m. until service time. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery.