Joseph Willard Funai

FUNAI, Joseph Willard, 93, of Richmond, passed away November 30, 2008. Born in Lynchburg on August 20, 1915, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Martha Louise Marshall Funai; his parents, Anthony and Clara Funai; one brother and three sisters. He is survived by a devoted daughter, Joyce A. McDaniel of Mechanicsville; and a devoted son, Joseph W. Funai and his wife, Carolyn, of Chesterfield; eight devoted grandchildren, Brenda M. Butler, Patricia M. Moss, James and Ronald McDaniel, Kathy Funai Sword, Karen F. Leffler, Bruce Funai and Chris Bryan; 16 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and a devoted niece, Margaret Conner Allen. Mr. Funai was a lifelong member of Village Presbyterian Church and served as both deacon and elder. He retired from E.I. DuPont, Richmond, Va., after 42 years. He will be remembered always by his family and friends for his deep love of them, kindness, and generosity. He is affectionately known by children of all ages as the "Candy Man." After a long courageous fight with illness, he was ready for eternal rest. The family will receive friends at Nelsen Funeral Home, 4650 S. Laburnum Ave., Richmond, Wednesday, December 3, 2008 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., where services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, December 4, 2008. Interment will follow in the Washington Memorial Park, Sandston, Va. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Village Presbyterian Church.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.