Joseph John Killeen

Joseph John Killeen, of Sun City Hilton Head, passed away peacefully on February 1, 2022 at the age of 74. Joe was born in Hoboken, New Jersey on January 8, 1948 to his parents Julia Karaba Killeen and John Killeen.

Joe attended elementary school at Our Lady of Grace School and graduated from Hoboken High School in Hoboken NJ. He attended Merritt College in Oakland, California and the University of California, Berkeley, where he graduated with a degree in Architecture. Later in life, he received his CADD certificate from the University of Alaska, Anchorage.

Joe worked for a number of Architectural firms in Southern California before becoming a Licensed General Contractor and starting his own business, Killeen Research, Design & Build.

In 1991, he sold his business and moved to Alaska, fulfilling a lifelong dream. While in Alaska, he worked for many different Alaskan Native housing authorities before working for the Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP). He started out designing and building homes in the Alaskan bush for AVCP, and retired as the Vice President of Development. He took great pride in helping to raise the standard of living for the Alaskan Native population.

In his later years, he reconnected with his high school sweetheart, Denise Rebele, the love of his life. They were married in 2014 and took a 2-month cross country honeymoon. He had great love for his stepchildren and took enormous pride in his role as a stepfather. His 6 grandchildren, who affectionately referred to him as “Happy Joe,” were the joys of his life.

Joe was an avid fan of the Seattle Mariners, Seattle Seahawks, New York Yankees, and most recently, the Jacksonville Jaguars. Joe was an active member of the Sun City Softball Club, and as a Manager, his team won the Saturday League Championship in the Fall of 2019. Joe was also a member of the Sun City Democratic Club, the American Revolution Round Table Club, the Money Talks Club, The Civil War Club, the Computer Club and the Tuesday night Bowling League.

Joe is survived by his wife, Denise Rebele Killeen; his mother in law, Eva Jeanne Rebele, his stepchildren Keith Rosa (Jennifer), Dawn Rosa Miller (Ty), grandchildren Aiden Miller, Trent Miller, Katherine Rosa, Concetta Miller, Abby Rosa and Penelope Miller; his sisters Patricia Killeen Francolino (Frank), Kathleen Nagle, sisters-in-law, Carole Koetter Killeen, Elaine Rebele, Michelle Rebele, Gina Skye Murphy (Dan), his brothers in law Chad Lee (Sharon), Thomas Chichizola (Laura) Charles Chichizola (Sandra), Anthony Rebele (Alice), Michael Rebele (Denise) and many nephews, nieces, and grand nephews and nieces. Joe is predeceased in life by his parents Julia Karaba Killeen and John Killeen, his sister Judith Killeen, his brother Michael Killeen, his father in law, David Rebele, and his brother-in-law Richard Nagle.

In lieu of flowers or other gifts, please make a donation in Joseph Killeen’s name to the American Battlefield Trust, or to a local animal shelter.