J
oseph (Joe) D’Arco, 60, of Cambridge died on November 30, 2024, after a 7-month battle with cancer. Joe was a well-known rock n roll drummer in Boston as well as a successful optical design engineer for Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, in Cambridge. Joe is survived by his loving wife, best friend, video producer and former rock n roll air talent, Patricia (Lunter) Stocker, M.Ed., his stepsons Clay Stocker of Arlington and Luke Stocker of Winchester, his parents, Marie and Silvio D’Arco of Arizona, and his siblings Joanna D’Arco of Arizona, and Jeff D’Arco, of Texas.
Born at Westover Air Force Base in Chicopee, MA on January 31, 1964, and son of an US Air Force Colonel and pilot, Joe lived throughout the US and Europe, including Sacramento, CA; Jacksonville, AR; Portsmouth, NH; Lexington, MA; Hahn AFB Germany; and Upper Heyford, England. Graduating as an Electro-Mechanical Design Engineer from UNH in 1986 he was a respected and sought after Electro-Opto-Mechanical Design Engineer, working for Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge; Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge; MIT Center for Space Research, Cambridge; MIT Lincoln Labs, Lexington; Cambridge; SSG, in Wilmington; ITEK Optical Systems, Cambridge, where he worked on developing optics for the Magellan Telescope, Giant Magellan Telescope, James Webb Telescope, Chandra Satellite, LIDAR, Robotic Optical Systems, and Space Based and Aircraft XRay Optical Systems. Joe’s dedication to space research was one of his greatest accomplishments.
Drumming since 10 years old, Joe was a passionate professional musician, most known for his hard rock n roll drumming style and song writing prowess. Joe’s drumming career brought him to NYC, LA, throughout New England, and around the country, playing in bands such as Godsmack, Taupier, Living Syndication, Controlled Aggression, Liquid Sickness, Creepshow Mary, Five-Point, Streetheart, and myriad bands throughout his storied rock n roll career. An avid SCUBA diver, skier, snowboarder, hockey player, photographer, painter, drawer, race car driver, nature lover, and as a member of the COM Sports Car Club, Joe was a true renaissance man. Known for his generosity, patience, guidance, and humbleness, Joe will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and colleagues.
Joe’s life will be celebrated on January 31, 2025, at Rogers Funeral Home, 380 Cambridge St, Cambridge from 4:00 - 8:00pm.
Flowers are appreciated as are donations to the National Science Foundation in Joe’s name.