Joseph A. 'Joe' Pontes

Joseph A. "Joe" Pontes, age 71, of Cornelia, Georgia, passed away on Tuesday, July 2, 2013.

Mr. Pontes was born on April 20, 1942, in Fall River, Massachusetts; son of the late Joseph A. and Florence Gaspar Pontes. He was also preceded in death by one infant brother and his mother-in-law, Serobia Gerrin. Joe was a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps, having proudly served his country during the Vietnam Conflict. He also served in the Drum and Bugle Corps. Mr. Pontes retired from the Georgia Department of Corrections as Food Service Director. Joe was a talented musician from his youth, having been in various bands until he became disabled. He performed at the Wurst Haus in Helen, Georgia for 17 years. Music was one of his greatest loves. Mr. Pontes was a member of Cornelia Christian Church.

Survivors include his wife, Regina Gerrin Pontes of Cornelia, GA; daughter, Cheryl Velazquez, Cornelia, GA; daughter and son-in-law, Brooke and Eddie Card, Dacula, GA; son and daughter-in-law, Joseph A. "Joe" Pontes, Jr. and Betty Pontes, Cleveland, GA; sons, Brian Pontes, Clayton, GA, Lieutenant Colonel Select William Pontes, St. Petersburg, FL, and Raymond Pontes, Gainesville, GA; sisters and brothers-in-law, Margurite and Paul Gagnon, Somerset, MA and Nancy and Steve Menard, Tiverton, RI; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Tawana and Andy Scroggs, Baldwin, GA; and grandchildren, Brenda Pontes, Alexandria and Spencer Velazquez, Jazz, Becca, Eli, Amos, Hannah, and Chloe Pontes, and Addie Grace and Anna Claire Card.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 6, 2013, at Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, Georgia, with David Terrell officiating. Interment will follow in Lamar Christian Church with full military honors provided by the United States Marine Corps, the Habersham County American Legion Post #84, the Grant Reeves VFW Post #7720, and the Rabun County DAV Chapter #15.

The family will receive friends from 6-9 p.m. on Friday, July 5, 2013, at the funeral home.

Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice.

Those wishing to express online condolences to the Pontes family may do so by visiting www.whitfieldfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements are in the care of Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, Georgia.