PORTSMOUTH—Dr. Joseph Peter Barreca, Jr., 91, passed away peacefully on April 16, 2023.  He was the son of the late Joseph Anthony and Lena Tridico Barreca.

Dr. Barreca grew up in New Orleans and attended Jesuit High School, Tulane University, and LSU School of Medicine.  His medical internship took place at Touro Infirmary, a private hospital in New Orleans.  He secured his general surgery training at Portsmouth Naval Hospital and his vascular surgery training at Emory University in Atlanta.  Dr. Barreca was an Assistant Professor of Surgery at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Va.

During his Naval career, Dr. Barreca attended the School of Aviation Medicine; was the flight surgeon for HS-7 (helicopter antisubmarine warfare squadron in Norfolk, Va.) and the Hurricane Hunter Squadron based at Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Ceiba, Puerto Rico; served on the USS Randolph and the USS Valley Forge; and served on the US Hospital Ship Sanctuary during the Vietnam War in 1969-70. He served as the Assistant Chief of Surgery at the Pensacola Naval Hospital.  In the course of his years of service, he received many medals.  His final duty station was the Naval Hospital Portsmouth, where he served as Assistant Chief of Surgery and Chief of Vascular Surgery.  After serving his country for 20 years, he retired from the United States Navy with the rank of Captain in November of 1977.

A vascular and general surgeon, Dr. Barreca's office was located in Portsmouth; he had admitting privileges to Maryview, Obici, and Portsmouth General hospitals.  He served as President of the medical staff at Portsmouth General Hospital.

After retiring from private practice, Dr. Barreca engaged in the study of investments at Old Dominion University, worked with H&R Block, and worked part time at the VA conducting physicals on fellow veterans.  Dr. Barreca and his wife enjoyed traveling extensively with family and friends.  One of their favorite places to relax was their house in Southern Shores on North Carolina's Outer Banks and visiting Hilton Head Island, S.C.

In his younger years, Dr. Barreca played the trumpet and competed in pole vaulting.  Later in life, he enjoyed sailing on the Betty Lynn II and watching granddaughters Courtney and Alexis play school and travel softball.  Dr. Barreca and his wife enjoyed being part of the Historic Downtown Portsmouth Community, living on Court Street for 40 years.

He was engaged in the community as a member of the Rotary Club of Portsmouth for 40 years, serving as club president in 2009-10, and attaining recognition as a Paul Harris +8 Fellow.  He served as Chairman of Saint Paul Catholic Church Parish Council and Portsmouth Catholic School Board.  In May 2019 he celebrated 50 years as a Master Mason of Escambia Lodge No. 15 of the Free and Accepted Masons in Pensacola, Fla.

Dr. Barreca is predeceased by his son, Joseph Pemberton Barreca, and his sisters, Doris Mahler and Marie Heimel. He is survived by his wife of over 66 years, the former Shirley Jean Chivé; their daughters Elizabeth Barreca Cherry (Chip) and Linda Barreca Perkinson (Bill), a partner in the law firm of Lane & Perkinson, P.C.; his younger brother, Louis Barreca (Patsy), who resides in New Orleans; grandchildren Donald Cherry III (Whitney), Courtney Perkinson Bates (Kevin), Julia Cherry, and Alexis Perkinson; and great-grandchildren Noah, Caroline and Owen Cherry, and Miles Bates.

The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Monday, April 24, at Foster Funeral Home, 1926 High St., Portsmouth. A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 25, at St. Paul Catholic Church, 522 High St., Portsmouth. Interment will follow at Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens in Suffolk. Immediately following the burial, there will be a reception at Church of the Resurrection, 3501 Cedar Ln., Portsmouth. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul Catholic Church, c/o 3501 Cedar Ln., Portsmouth, VA 23703.  Condolences may be registered at BWFosterFuneralHome.com.