Joseph "Joe" Lee Nassif

Joseph “Joe” Lee Nassif, Jr., of Chapel Hill passed away on January 21, 2026. He was 64 years old.

Joe was born on June 20, 1961, in Raleigh, NC, to the late Joseph Sr. and Janet Nassif. Joe grew up amongst his siblings and many friends around Flemington Road in Chapel Hill. He quickly took to sports, playing football, baseball, and basketball from a young age and he earned letters in each at Chapel Hill High School. Joe loved to share stories of his many boyhood friends and teammates, and, of course, his childhood sweetheart, Ann Marie.

After graduating from Chapel Hill High School in 1979, Joe remained in the Chapel Hill-Durham area. He and Ann Marie married on April 17, 1993 at the Church of the Holy Family. Marriage suited them, and their family grew with the birth of their sons, Will and John. They moved into a charming, split-level red house on Celeste Circle where Joe loved hosting his family for holidays and special occasions. After Ann Marie was diagnosed with cancer, Joe heroically balanced being a full-time husband, caregiver, and father, and ensured his boys had a childhood filled with cherished memories beyond the loss of their mother.

Joe’s family grew again as he met his second wife, Linda, and her son, Nick, and they moved the short distance to Cary in the early 2000s. His love for hosting family gatherings continued at their new house, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas with his now larger extended family. He shared his love for sports and played active roles, whether coaching or volunteering, on their many teams. He spent innumerable hours throwing batting practice at Bond Park and drove countless miles for travel lacrosse tournaments. He proudly coached his boys’ teams at Green Hope High School, and many of their friends and former teammates still lovingly refer to him as “Coach JJ”. He never missed one of his boys’ gamedays.

Like many, Joe struggled in later years with alcoholism-an illness that ultimately took too much from him. Joe poured his strength and love into his sons, even when he had little left for himself. He was more than these battles, and his loved ones will always remember his gentleness, humor, and love for his family.

Joe is survived by his children, Will (Caroline) and John (Vanessa); his siblings Karen Tyner (David), Thomas (Mary), and Susan Taylor; and by his nephews and nieces Marshall Taylor, Emily Nassif, and Matthew Nassif. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ann Marie Nebel Nassif, and an infant brother, John David Nassif.

A service will be held on February 21, 2026 at 10:30 AM at Walker’s Funeral Home, 11680 US Highway 15-501 N, Chapel Hill, NC 27517. Friends are invited to visit Joe’s family at Walker’s Funeral Home following the memorial service. A private internment will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Green Hope High School Athletic Department. Memorials may be given through PayPal (ghabcsales@gmail.com) or by check, made payable to Green Hope Athletics and mailed to:

Green Hope High School
Attn: Athletic Department
2500 Carpenter Upchurch Road
Cary, NC 27519