CONWAY, SC (WBTW) – Horry County school board chairman Joe Defeo has died, board member Neil James confirmed on Thursday night. Defeo was 65 years old.
“It is with heavy hearts to announce the death of Horry County School Board Chairman Joe DeFeo. Mr. DeFeo suffered a cardiac event this evening,” superintendent Rick Maxey said in a statement.
“The HCS Board of Education and school administration mourns the loss of a great community leader and friend,” the statement said. “May God comfort his fiancée, Sandra, and his family and friends through this incredibly difficult time.”
Defeo was elected to the school board in 2006. He became the school board chairman in 2012.
According to Defeo’s biography posted on the district’s website, he served as a New Jersey police officer before moving to Myrtle Beach more than three decades ago.
“I have 20 years of experience working in the aviation industry and as a corporate pilot. A passionate aviator, I maintain my commercial pilot’s license and mechanic’s certificate to enable me to continue to enjoy the freedom of flight,” Defeo wrote.
He’s survived by three children –Megan, Joseph, and Annah — and fiance Sandra Lucas-Hyde.