Joseph P. DiBurro Jr., 79

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our hero, our legend, and the heart of our family.

Joseph P. DiBurro Jr., 79, of Haverhill, Massachusetts, passed away on October 10, 2026, at Anna Jaques Hospital, surrounded by the people who meant everything to him: his wife of over 54 years, Sheila, whom he adored, his grandsons who brought him immeasurable joy, his daughters he fearlessly protected, and the men he trusted to love and care for them. He left this world the same way he lived in it, surrounded by love.

Born in Haverhill, MA, Joseph was the son of Joseph and Anne (Schiavone) DiBurro, Sr. and the brother of Maureen (DiBurro) Marino and Barbara (DiBurro) Strickland. After earning his master’s degree in history, he spent more than four decades both owning and operating DiBurro’s Auto School and teaching in the Haverhill school system, leaving a lasting impression on generations of students both at school and behind the wheel. His lessons reached far beyond the classroom or the driver’s seat. He taught with patience, humor, confidence, and the unmistakable warmth that made him unforgettable. For so many people throughout Haverhill and beyond, he was more than a teacher; he was someone they never forgot.

Known to many simply as “Joey D,” or “Mr. D”, his greatest joy was his family. He loved deeply, gave generously, and always wore his heart on his sleeve. With his infectious laugh, love of scratch tickets, and unmistakable presence, he lived fully and unapologetically, always true to himself. He had a remarkable way of making everyone feel seen, welcomed, and remembered. His love of the beach created some of the family’s most cherished memories. His family homes became gathering places for school trips, summer vacations, afternoons at the arcades, go-kart races, Fourth of July fireworks, and walks along the boardwalk.

To his family, however, he was so much more than the beloved teacher and familiar face so many knew. He was the steady center of the family, the person who brought everyone together, filled every room with laughter, and somehow made every gathering feel complete simply by being there. His voice, his stories, his laugh, his lessons, and the love he gave so freely will remain with us forever. His legacy cannot be measured only by the years he lived. It lives in the generations of students he taught, the people whose lives he touched, the family he built, the friendships he formed, and the countless stories that will continue to be told about him for years to come.

Joseph is survived by his beloved wife, Sheila (Kalil) DiBurro; his daughters, Tiffany (DiBurro) Midolo and her husband, David; Kelly (DiBurro) Tammaro and her husband, Daniel; and Kimberly DiBurro and her husband, Kenny Lamarche. He also leaves behind his four beloved grandsons, who were among his greatest joys and who had his whole heart, Anthony Midolo, Anthony Tammaro, Jaxson Tammaro, and Kole Lamarche, each of whom brought immeasurable pride and happiness to his life, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Please consider a donation to support finding a cure for PSP: send your check made out to:
CurePSP, 325 Hudson Street, 4th Floor. New York, NY 10013; or donate to support local education at: https://www.haverhilleducationfoundation.org/ or by mail with checks payable to Haverhill Education Foundation and send to: Haverhill Education Foundation, P.O. Box 1864, Haverhill, MA 01831

Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend calling hours on Sunday, October 18th, from 2:00PM to 5:00PM at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main Street, Haverhill, MA. Monday, October 19th, friends are welcome to join the family at Comeau Funeral Home at 10:00AM before departing for the church. A procession honoring Joe’s more than 40 years of service teaching the students of Haverhill will pass by the Consentino School and Haverhill High School. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00AM at All Saints Church in Haverhill, Massachusetts. Please visit www.comeaufuneral.com or the Comeau Funeral Home Facebook page for additional information.