Joseph Frank Padula

Joseph Frank Padula – Age 78, of Nashville, TN, passed away peacefully on July 18, 2025. He was born on August 16, 1946, in Franklin, TN.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Watson Padula; his daughters, Michelle Nunnari (Craig), Melissa Crane, Melanie Napier (Kyle); his granddaughters, Anna Nunnari, Sara Nunnari and Olivia Crane.

Joe retired from Criminal Court in Davidson County in 2017. Prior to criminal Court, Joe owned Comet Cleaners in Melrose. Before becoming a small business owner, his passion was in the men’s clothing business, with many years at McPherson’s, The Oxford Shop in Green Hills, Hall Brown, and Genesco.

Joe’s Hobbies were spending time in his yard, riding on his lawnmower. He enjoyed watching his favorite baseball team, The New York Yankees, and Saturday college football, cheering on The Tennessee Vols. You would hear it on the TV or the Radio throughout the house. The family made a couple of trips to New York to see a few Yankees games and to Knoxville, TN, to watch the Vols play football.

He loved his country music playing in the kitchen while he cleaned on a Saturday Morning.  Joe was known for his jokes and always talking to everyone. He enjoyed going to lunch with his daughters and granddaughters, spending quality time with family. His weekly phone calls would start with ” Tell me something good ” and end with ” Call me if you need me “.

He will truly be missed.  We love you, Dad. We will miss you! You will always be with us!

A funeral Mass will be held at 1:00 PM, on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at St. Edwards Catholic Church, located at 188 Thompson Lane, Nashville, TN. Visitation with the family will precede the mass from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the American Heart Association.

Arrangements in the care of Compassion Funeral & Cremation Services, Nashville, TN (615) 857-9955. We proudly remain locally owned & operated.