Joseph Albert Cirillo

Joseph A. Cirillo, 86, of 7 Samson Lane, Middletown, passed away on May 25 at Newport Hospital after a brief illness. He was the beloved husband for almost 30 years of Charlene A. (Rose) Cirillo and the son of the late Vincenza and Umberto Cirillo. A resident of Middletown, Joe grew up on Federal Hill and worked in his father's meat market "Little Bear" on Atwells Avenue until graduation from RISDE Class of 1963 with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture.

Joe began his working career with the Navy Department, Bureau of Yards and Docks, Arlington, VA, where he helped design US Navy Facilities around the world including a 6-month stint in Bangkok, Thailand during the Vietnam War. In 1971 upon the abolishment of the 1st Naval District in Boston, Joe began his private career with C.A. Maguire Associates, Inc. where he designed two major building additions to the Naval War College in Newport, RI. He was approached by the Thomas Flatley Development Company to work for them where during his tenure he was responsible for the design of apartments, industrial parks, office buildings, nursing homes and hotels.

In 1974, Joe was appointed RI's first State Building Commissioner and served in that position for 28 years. During his tenure, he developed the law which provided for the adoption of the State Building Code in 1977. The code included the Commercial Building Code, 1 & 2 Family Dwelling Code, Plumbing Code, Mechanical Code, Electrical Code & Energy Code. Later specialty codes were added for accessibility, industrialized buildings and rehabilitation.

After retiring, Joe co-founded C & D Code Consultants, Inc. with Dan DeDentro. The firm provided code consulting services for projects across the state. In May 2006, President George W. Bush appointed him to the United States Access Board with the support of Senator Lincoln Chafee. During his four years on the Board, he served in many positions and committees.

Joe also served as President of the Building Officials & Cod Administrators (BOCA) from 1995-1996, President of the National Conference of States on Building Codes & Standards (NCSBCS) from 1981-1982 and on the RI Governor's Commission on Disabilities, RI Energy Efficiency and Regulatory Management Commission, Middletown Economic Development Advisory Council and the Middletown Roads/Utilities Committee. He was also a member of Order of the Sons & Daughters of Italy in America, Vasco daGama Portuguese American Club & the Teofilo Braga Club.

Besides his wife, he is survived by his daughters Dr. Lisa A. Seow and her husband Joseph of Mukwonago, Wisconsin and Allison-Jo Koltz and her husband Kevin of New York City and Portland, Oregon. He is also survived by his mother-in-law Adeline Rose of Middletown, his sister-in-law Cynthia Rose of Little Compton, brothers-in-law Francis Rose and his wife Mary of White Plains, NY, Peter Lapolla and his wife Denise of North Providence and Timothy Gould of Little Compton and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces & nephews and great-great nieces and nephews. He was the husband of the late Janice Lapolla Cirillo, and brother of the late Ralph Cirillo. A very special thank you to his CNA Marissa Lombari for her loving care of Joe over the past six plus years.

A memorial mass will be held in his honor on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at 11:00 am in Jesus Saviour Church, 509 Broadway, Newport, RI. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Jesus Saviour Church, Building & Maintenance Fund, 1 Vernon Avenue, Newport, RI 02840