If you spend any time at the Englewood Farmers Market, you’ve probably spotted Joe Delbonis. He’s easy to recognize: friendly, always smiling, and a steady presence at the Englewood Democratic Club’s booth since day one.
Joe grew up in Rhode Island, and he and his wife Jean made the big move to Rotonda West, Florida, back in 2010. Together, they built a busy family: four children, ten grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, with two more great-grandkids on the way this year.
Although both Joe and Jean are retired now, Joe continues to work one day a week at the local golf course in Rotonda West. Before retirement, Joe wore a lot of hats: finance manager, sales manager, and general manager for car dealerships across Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Jean ran her own business before she retired.
If you catch them together, you’ll probably notice something sweet: they’re almost always holding hands. Joe and Jean joined the Englewood Democratic Club right from the start in 2018, and they’ve been active members ever since.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
When I am not working at the golf course, I am either playing golf or working in my yard. I do all of my own yardwork, i.e. lawn, flowers, trimming, taking care of our pool, etc.
What is your most marked or distinctive characteristic?
I spend a lot of time in the sun, my white hair is long, when I retired, I let it grow and now have a ponytail, as I had many years ago prior to beginning my work career, I also have a beard which has adorned my face since 1965, it is also now white.
What do you most value in your friends?
I have a few lifelong friends left; one has been a friend for 75 years. Many of the friends from years ago have passed away. I have a very good friend here in Florida who I worked with long ago in Rhode Island. We see each other often: golfing, dinners, etc.
Who are your favorite writers?
Barack Obama’s books were the last ones I read. I have read a few of Tony Dunbar’s books (he is a retired attorney and also an original member of the Democratic Club).
Who is your hero of fiction?
I don’t have any fictional heroes. In real life, I admire President Obama and Joe Biden, not because they are democrats, but because they did so much for America during their time in office.
What are your favorite names?
My favorite names would be those of my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Those would be Robert, Kevin, Dawn-Monique, and Joseph Jr., Matthew, Kyle, Craig, Anthony, Dakota, Jaryd, Ashlyn, Avery, Sage, Jillian, Kenzo Madelina, and the two great grands due this year, Riley and Theodore.
What is it that you most dislike?
I dislike anyone who claims not to be a racist, but outwardly displays signs they are.
What is your greatest regret?
I wish we could do more for the unhoused, and for anyone else who is down for whatever reason.
What is your motto?
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Every edition, Englewood REVIEW spotlights someone who stands out in the community. We ask each person to tackle The Proust Questionnaire; a classic set of questions created by Marcel Proust, the French writer.
