Joseph R. Blair, Jr. Mr.
February 18, 1934 ~ November 23, 2015
Born in:
Baltimore, Maryland
Resided in:
Lawrenceville, Georgia
Joseph R. Blair, Jr., 81, of Lawrenceville, Georgia passed away on November 23, 2015 at his home surrounded by his loving family.
He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph R. Blair, Sr. and Ellen P. Blair (nee Marling); sister, Virginia Peppler and brother-in-law, Henry; sister, Janet Cobb and brother-in-law, Bernie; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Margaret and John Scordo.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years Rosalie M. Blair (nee Scordo); daughter, Cynthia L. Rodriguez and son-in-law, Mark; sons, Joseph R. Blair, III and Christopher W. Blair; grandson, Justin M. Rodriguez and wife Jayme; grandson, Joshua M. Rodriguez and fiancé, Kim; sister-in-law, Margaret C. Thompson; God-son, Robert Thompson; brothers-in-law, Donald Scordo, Jerry Scordo and wife, Carole, and Johnny Scordo and wife, Terry; niece Lynn Cobb Bill and husband, David; and a host of nieces and nephews.
A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Joseph was an avid sports fan, spending countless hours as a youth playing baseball, basketball and soccer at Patterson Park. He attended St. Elizabeth’s Catholic School, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, and Johns Hopkins University where he studied electrical engineering. In 1953, while still a teenager, Joseph began working as a draftsman at Western Electric (later merged with A. T. & T. and Lucent Technologies) prior to becoming an electrical engineer. From 1956-1958, Joseph served in the United States Army and was stationed at Ft. Ord in Monterey, California. In 1985, Joseph and Rosalie relocated to Lawrenceville, Georgia with their sons Joseph and Christopher. After 40 years, he retired from Lucent Technologies in 1993. He and his family have been members of St. Marguerite D’ Youville Catholic Church.
The family wishes to thank Reverends James Harrison and Joseph Mendes for their constant prayers, as well as countless friends and family for their love, support, and prayers throughout Joseph’s extended illness.
The family will receive friends on Monday, November 30 from 4:00-8:00 P.M. at Wages and Sons Funeral Home on Lawrenceville Hwy. in Lawrenceville. A Funeral Mass will be on Tuesday, December 1 at 11:00 AM at St. Marguerite D’Youville Catholic Church followed by a luncheon in the Parish Hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Joseph’s name to the St. Marguerite D’Youville Mortgage Fund at 85 Gloster Road, Lawrenceville, GA 30044.
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My prayers are with your family.
I love you, Dad. I am so proud to be your son, and I thank you for everything. You will remain in my heart forever.
I love you so much Uncle Joe. I have adored you since I was a little girl. I will miss you. Give mom and Nancy a hug for me.
Dad, I love you more than I can ever articulate. You’ve always been a wonderful father and friend, and I will carry you in my heart and memories for as long as I live.
Thank you for always making us feel loved.
I have fond memories of Uncle Joe. I remember his kind smile and his calm demeanor. When we were leaving Grandmom’s or his and Aunt Rosalie’s house, Uncle Joe would always tell me not to take any wooden nickels. It’s funny how things like that stay with you. My thoughts and prayers are with you Aunt Rose, Joey, Chris, and Cindy.
Dear Mrs. Blair, Joe and Chris,
I am saddened to hear of Mr. Blair’s passing. You are all in my thoughts and prayers at this sad time. After over 30 years of nursing Mr. Blair was my best and favorite patient of all time, I always loved taking care of him, he was always such a kind and sweet man with a heart melting smile. He has a place in my heart forever. You are a wonderful family and I pray for you today. Heaven most certainly has a new Angel, and may God Bless him. Love, Peggy
Dearest Joe:
Sixty years was truly a gift from our Heavenly Father, but I am selfish and wish it was much longer. We are blessed with three wonderful children and two wonderful grandsons who filled our lives with happiness.
I feel so lost without you. Thank you for loving me and for taking such good care of all of us.
You told me that you pray for me all of the time –for this I am grateful. You are the love of my life, my soulmate. I love you with all of my heart. God bless you, my love.
Forever yours, Rosalie
Dear Rose, Joseph and Chris:
What a beautiful pictorial. It touched my heart to see so clearly the love you felt for Mr. Blair, and he for you. I know he was a loving and devoted father and husband, and I’m so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love,
Victoria
Our prayers and love are with you. Wish we could be there for hugs and just to hold hands.
I have many wonderful memories of Pop. When I would visit in the summer as a kid I would make him kneel down to catch while I pitched to him in the back yard. In my last year of college we shared a hobby for old fashion shaving, we would talk about different soaps and techniques on the phone. And with our last visit I will never forget the courage Pop showed when he received the news about his health. We are blessed to have had such a great man as a grandfather. I know he loved Kim during the short time they knew each other. Pop will truly be missed. -Josh and Kim
Dad,
Mark & I will truly miss you.
You have been the best dad anyone could ask for. You taught me the true meaning of unconditional love and how family supports one another. You were always so patient with me, whether it was helping me with Math homework or teaching me to drive. Your morals and work ethic will live on through me, Justin & Josh. You were a great listener. I think I will miss our morning talks most of all.
To Mark, you were a supportive, caring father in law. Always there to lend a hand or give advice as needed. Mark’s dad once told him that you were the most honest, trustworthy man he had ever met. Mark was inspired by your courage during your recent illness.
So Dad, although we will miss you more than words can say, we are blessed to have had you in our lives and happy that you are at peace.
Sending my love and prayers to you all. Uncle Joe was truly an amazing man. The video was beautiful to watch.
My heartfelt condolences to you Rosalie, and your family. You all are truly a testament to the love and character of Joe.
You will remain in my prayers during this time.
Mr. Blair,
I never had the pleasure of meeting of you, but I have heard so much about you over the years I feel as though I know you. I have enjoyed the honor and total pleasure of knowing your son Chris and wife Rosalie. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers at this time.
Moma Rose, My Joseph, Chris, Cindy and Family,
You all are in my heart and prayers. I am so very sorry for your hearts. Mr. Joe is a great man with an amazing and wonderful family. He will live in your hearts forever! As well as us the many he touched. I
loved his welcoming smile. May God give you Peace and Comfort. Love you, Libbie
Pop,
Early morning in Georgia is a memory I will never forget. The warm sunlight pouring through the stained glass window and onto the old kitchen table, with the same, old, lazy susan in the center. As a young boy, I would wake up early morning and sneak out to the kitchen to find you there with your head buried in that morning’s newspaper and park myself adjacent to your seat. There I would draw, or read, or play a game, being careful not to disturb you. You would occasionally look up and smile past the sports section you were reading, making me feel entirely at home. This memory is as clear as day to me every time I summon it, and is a cherished ritual that I will always miss. This weekend, I will wake up in the early morning, as I always have, being careful not to wake my wife and tiny pug dog. I will quietly head out to the kitchen to make my coffee, and sit down to draw, read, or play a game. During the cherished routine, I will remark silently to myself that our morning ritual has become a little lonelier knowing you will not being joining me as you once did, paper in hand, 640 miles away.
Love you Pop.
P.S When I see you again I will be sure I bring the glazed doughnuts and “tater” chips.
Justin
Rosalie:
The notice of Joe’s passing appeared in a recent Baltimore Sunpaper at the very top of the notices and I was able to remember Joe from the picture to the one I remember him at the Campos corner at Lakewood Ave and Fayette Street. My memories of him from many years back are fond thinking about what a nice friendly, and cool guy he was.
Both my wife Jean and I were saddened by your loss.
“Cousin” Ralph
December 08, 2015
May God’s warm embrace help to console you during this difficult time. In my prayers always, Maureen