Joseph D'Aquila, 48, of Great Kills, a lifelong Staten Islander and mechanic, died yesterday in Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze, of a sudden illness.
Born in New Dorp, he settled in Great Kills 15 years ago.

Mr. D'Aquila worked for nearly 30 years as a mechanic for the Port Authority, based at the Goethals Bridge.  A graduate of New Dorp High School, he attended Lincoln Technical Institute, Union, N.J.

Mr. D'Aquila was an avid fisherman, and member of the Staten Island Tuna Club. He loved taking his boat out on fishing trips with friends and family, and especially enjoyed boating with his sister-in-law, Debra.  "He was a brother, a friend, and a lifetime fishing buddy," said his brother, John Jr.

Mr. D'Aquila also had a passion for working on cars.  He was a parishioner of St. Clare's R.C. Church, Great Kills.  Mr. D'Aquila's wife, the former Vivian Trotta, died in 1998.

In addition to his brother, John Jr., surviving are his companion, Robin Savin; his son, John, and his parents, Mary and John D'Aquila.

The funeral will be Friday from the Hanley Funeral Home, with a mass at 9:30 a.m. in Our Lady Queen of Peace R.C. Church.  Burial will follow in Moravian Cemetery, all New Dorp.