He was a graduate of John Bartran High School, Philadelphia, PA. He served in the U.S. Navy as a U.S. Naval Aviator.Joe retired from the Philadelphia School District where he worked as a Special Education Counselor.He is survived by his wife, Cynthia (nee, McNicholas) Colonna; his son, Joseph P. Colonna, Jr.; daughters, Marian Diamond and Susan Colonna, their mother, Patricia Newnan; sister, Dorothy Chirico; six grandchildren; and twelve nieces and nephews.