Jose (Joe) Batista, 67, of Port Charlotte, Florida, died Monday, July 23, 2007 at Peace River Regional Medical Center in Port Charlotte after a brief illness.

Jose was born January 24, 1940 in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. A former member of the U.S. Army and retired Reservist, Jose moved to Port Charlotte from Brentwood on Long Island New York in 1996, following his retirement after 21 years with the New York City Transit Authority MABSOTA Division. He was a member of San Antonio Catholic Church, Port Charlotte, and the Knights of Columbus Council 12456 San Antonio.

He is survived by his beloved family, wife Maria (Toni) Batista of Port Charlotte; son Marc (wife Christine) Batista, granddaughter Brianna and grandson Marc Joseph (Joey) Batista, all of Long Island; two brothers, Louie Batista of Long Island, and Jorge Batista of City Island, NY; three nieces and one nephew.