Joseph Hurtado

Joseph “Joe” Hurtado, of Ellicott City, Maryland, passed away peacefully at home on September 9, 2026, at the age of 64.

Born on January 10, 1962, in Bronx, New York, Joe was the beloved son of Henry Joseph Hurtado and Agnes Brundage. He grew up in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where he received his high school diploma from Princess Anne High School Class of 1980. He additionally attended the Technical Institute of Camden County in New Jersey, where he received his diploma in Electronic Equipment Services in 1995.

Joe was a man who brought happiness, laughter, strength, and love wherever he went. He was the kind of person whose presence you felt immediately, whose sense of humor could make anyone laugh, and whose strength carried the people he loved through life’s hardest moments.

Joe had a deep love for music, especially playing guitar. Whether it was an acoustic or electric guitar, music was a huge part of who he was. He found the most joy in playing, listening, teaching, and sharing that passion with others.

Above all else, Joe loved his family. He loved his wife and two children with his whole heart. His love for his wife, daughter, and son was unwavering, and his family meant more to him than anything in this world.

Joe is lovingly survived by his devoted wife of 37 years, JoAnn; his daughter, Sandra (Tyler) and son, Joseph (Kaitlyn); his two grandchildren, Jaxon and Kamryn; his stepmother, Marie; his brothers, Bernie, Larry, and Jeff (Katherine); his sister, Clare; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by both his mother and father.

Joe will be remembered for his incredible strength, his infectious sense of humor, his love of music, and, most of all, the immense love he gave to his family. Though his absence leaves a pain that words cannot fully express, the love, laughter, and memories he gave us will remain forever. He was deeply loved. He will be profoundly missed. And he will never be forgotten.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to the Hydrocephalus Association in Joe's memory.