Cape Coral Mayor Joseph Coviello’s funeral to be held Tuesday, streamed live

Funeral services for Cape Coral Mayor Joseph Coviello will be held on Tuesday.

Coviello died Wednesday morning due to an unexpected medical incident
at the age of 65.

“Mayor Coviello was elected in November 2017 and was a pillar of the community and served the citizens of Cape Coral with dignity and respect. His passing was due to an unexpected medical incident. Any further details will be announced as they become available,” the City said in a statement.

Coviello served as Cape Coral’s mayor for more than three years and was a proponent of conservation efforts, such as Four-Mile Cove and adding more parks.

Everyone WINK News reporter Nicole Lauren spoke to said Coviello was known for his kindness and generosity. One woman who experienced that firsthand is Joan Durante, owner of the Cape Coral staple Papa Joe’s.

Durante says Coviello wasn’t just a public figure, he was a friend, and her Italian restaurant was one of his favorite spots. He loved his pasta and pizza and was always gracious with her staff.

Durante said her heart sank when she heard the news he was gone.

“It was just totally in shock and heartbroken,” Durante said. “He was very kind, very generous. I can’t say enough good things about Joe Coviello. The man versus just talking about him as a mayor. He was a good man.”

Joe Coviello didn’t live in Cape Coral his whole life. He grew up in Glen Cove on Long Island and was a three-sport athlete in high school. He carried his love for sports into college at Franklin and Marshall College, where he was the quarterback for the Diplomat football team all four years.

“He was kind, giving,” Durante said. “My mailbox broke. I was very proud to say how important a person am I that the mayor came over and put a new mailbox in for me.”

Other passions of Coviello’s included the United States Merchant Marine Academy. But privately, he was a man who loved his family, fishing, boating and cooking.

“He was a confidante, you could talk to him,” Durante said. “He was always calm, thought about it before he gave you the answer. Just a good man, a very good man… this is a great loss for our city.”

Coviello moved to Cape Coral from Long island in 2000 and was elected mayor in 2017. He leaves behind his wife Diane and his two sons, Ross and Alex.

The visitation begins at 11 a.m. the funeral service is at 1 p.m. Masks are required. At the end of the service, everyone will be asked to stay for a moment to allow the family to leave for a private burial service.

The funeral service will be streamed live on the Coral Ridge Funeral Home Facebook page. No account is needed to view. Click here to watch.