Joseph Manuel Dias, 81, longtime resident of Lincoln Park in Gloucester and husband of the late Kathryn (Carolan) Dias, died at home on November 28th. Joe and Kathy shared 35 years of marriage prior to her death in 2019. Joe was born in Ilhavo, Portugal, on Nov. 27, 1939, to Francisco M. and Maria Jose (Bastos) Dias. He emigrated to the United States with his parents in 1942 when he was just 3 years old. He served in the U.S. Army as a marksman stationed in Korea. He received an honorable discharge in November 1962. Joe was a lifetime member of the Gloucester Lodge of Elks 892, the V.F.W. Post 1624 where he served as commander for a time, and the Gloucester Fraternity Club. Joe worked hard in many fields of work. When he was newly married he was a tree worker. He was known to climb to all heights without fear. One day he fell 75 feet before his harness caught him just before he hit the ground. Whew! He moved on to other jobs that displayed his array of talents. His interest in electronics lead him to going into business with Eddie Arajou as a TV repairman. He worked many years as a printer for Chisholm and Hunt and Curran printers. He retired as a bartender for the Gloucester Fraternity Club. In between work Joe and his friends made time for play. One of his most memorable play projects was the production a fabulous homemade silent action movie titled “Savage Within”. Made over the course of two interesting and entertaining years. Joe and good friends Steve Elwell Sr., Howie Davis, Russ Forcier, Fran Doucette, Tony Verga, and others spent many nights and weekends shooting footage, with the intent of making the movie the very best it could be. It is an exciting movie, costarring and edited by Joe that family and friends still enjoy watching to this day. Joe was well known for his love of country music. He introduced all his friends and family to Waylon Jennings, Hank Williams, Kris Kristofferson and other great artists. He played guitar and sang in a band with Frank McKenzie, Howie Davis, and Wayne Hayes. They often performed gigs at the old Main Deck, with Tony Verga serving as the bartender. A lot of fun was had during those years. Joe is fondly remembered by his kids, nieces and nephews sitting in the back yard playing his guitar and singing songs such as "Gilly Gilly Ossenfeffer Katzenellenbogen by the Sea". He also was a DJ hosting many dances at the Moose Lodge and other venues. His love of music ran deep as well as his love of all the old TV shows and movies, Westerns being his favorite. Joe is survived by two daughters, Annemarie (Dias) Sanfilippo, wife of Nick Sanfilippo, of Rockport, and Joelle (Dias) Foote, wife of Jack Foote, of Gloucester; two step-children, Lauran (Stickney), wife of James Brayden of North Reading, and Scott Feener, fiance of Melanie Caron of Haverhill; his sisters Rose Carrico of Fairhaven, and Vicky Cabral of Mattapoisett, and a brother, Tony Dias of Gloucester, 12 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren, as well as many nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother Frank Dias. A special thank you to Betty Lowe, Carl and Peggy Lewis, and Care Dimensions hospice. Services will be held privately. Arrangements are by the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington St. Gloucester. Online condolences may be given at: www.greelyfuneralhome.com