Joel Raymond Spillane

Joel Raymond Spillane, age 67, of Tucson, Arizona, passed away peacefully on April 25, 2025. Joel was born on April 1, 1958 in Springfield, Massachusetts. He was predeceased by his parents, Evelyn (nee Dube), and Harold Spillane. Joel worked for newspapers for most of his career, first in St. Petersburg, Florida, then, until his retirement in 2020, at the Arizona Daily Star in Tucson, AZ. He had amazing mechanical skills and was a valued employee of both newspapers for his ability to keep the machines and computer systems running. He was predeceased by his wife, Becky, whom he shared a loving marriage for many years. He is survived by his son, Brian Spillane, of Lutz, Florida, and his granddaughters, Evelyn, and Claire; his step daughter, Jennifer Rodriquez of Tucson, his granddaughter, Jesenia Saenz, and grandchildren, Maxton, Jazlene, and Rowan Salazar; his stepson, Steven Farero, and grandsons, Estevan and Jacob; his sisters, Karen Spillane of South Berwick, ME, Deborah Yost, of Stafford Springs, CT, and brother, Jeffrey Spillane, of Bath, NH, and predeceased by his brother, Darrel.

Joel was a maverick, always seeking new adventures. After his retirement, Joel bought a sail boat, and, with his dog Taz, sailed from Maine to Florida and back again. He was able to fix anything, and did so for his family in Tucson, and for his siblings at their camp in Maine. He always gave of himself whenever anyone needed anything. He was kind to everyone, friends, or acquaintances, and gave to them all that he had to give. He will be missed by everyone who knew him, his family, many cousins, and friends.