Joseph Durso, born July 16, 1964 lived fearlessly until his passing on January 23, 2024. He was born in Manhattan, New York to his mother, Patricia Cefaro, and his father, Joseph Durso, both of whom preceded him in death. He was raised primarily in New Jersey by his father and loving stepmother Dorothy Durso. At 18 years old, he joined the US Army. As a sergeant and paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division, he served in the Invasion of Grenada in 1983. In 1989, he moved to Florida, rejected the title of "Yankee," and began enjoying life south of the Mason-Dixon Line. Joseph proudly served 27 years as a law enforcement officer with the Hialeah Police Department, Surfside Police Department, Royal Palm Beach Police Department, and the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office. Joseph began his career as patrol before moving on to work street crimes, as a field training officer, and as a detective on a narcotics unit. He was also the lead defensive tactics instructor at Royal Palm Beach Police Department and introduced Mixed Martial Arts into police defensive tactics there. He later worked as a SWAT operator and served numerous search warrants and conducted many high risk take down operations. Joseph was respected for his ability to detect criminal activity and develop successful investigations concluding in significant felony arrests and seizures of contraband. He was very successful at tracking down fugitives when others could not locate them. He received numerous commendations and awards over the years, including being named District 14's Deputy of the Year for 2014. Joseph was not one to waste an opportunity. In 2016, he began to proudly make use of his hard-earned retirement. He enjoyed hanging out with his wife and dogs, swimming in his pool whenever the sun shone, and spending as much time as possible with his beloved daughters and grandsons. He is survived by his devoted wife, Jill Durso; his stepmother, Dorothy Durso; his sister, Lorrie Durso Byers; his daughters, Ariana Mueller and Tessa Durso; his grandsons, James Mueller and Thomas Mueller; as well as many other family members. He was adored as a husband, son, brother, father, and grandfather and will be missed every day.
Family asks in lieu of flowers donations to: Wounded Warriors Project