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BORN
1954
DIED
2022
FUNERAL HOME
Joseph Lehman Obituary
Father Joe, as he preferred to be called, was born on June 9, 1954, in Newport News, Virginia, but grew up in Hampton. He attended St. Mary's Star of the Sea Catholic School in Phoebus (Hampton) and the vocations high school of St. John Vianney Seminary in Richmond. He was a 1976 graduate of St. Meinrad Seminarian and School of Theology in Indiana and completed his post graduate theological studies at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, Italy. He was ordained into the priesthood of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond on August 16, 1980.
As a faithful and humble priest of the Diocese of Richmond for 42 years, Fr. Joe served the following parishes: Holy Cross Catholic Church, Lynchburg (1980-1984); Holy Name of Mary, Bedford and Resurrection, Moneta (1984-1988 ); Christ the King, Norfolk(1988-1997); Our Lady of Nazareth, Roanoke (1997-2019); as associate director of St Francis of Assisi, Rocky Mount and again at Resurrection, Moneta (2005-2009); and as administrator of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Salem (2016).
In addition to his parish ministry work, Fr. Joe is recognized for his ecumenical work through the Virginia LARCUM Committee, on which he served as ecumenical and interreligious officer, and the Virginia Council of Churches.
In 2020, as he reflected on his 40 years as a priest, he told The Catholic Virginian "he knew growing up, he wanted to be a priest."
He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Patrick Lehman, Jr.
He is survived by his mother, Beverly Lehman of Independence, Virginia, his sisters Chris Clark, Ann Hart and Teresa Lehman, his brothers John Lehman and Tim Lehman and many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews who all loved his playful antics, boisterous outbursts and vibrant personality. He was well loved by his family, friends and the people of God that he served and will be forever missed.
A Vigil for the Deceased with Reception of the Body will be held on Sunday, December 18th at 7:00 p.m. at St. Bede, 3686 Ironbound Road. Fr. Joe will lie in repose for vigil until 9:00 p.m. Visitation will be at the church on Monday, December 19th from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 6:00 p.m. followed by a reception. Burial will take place at Resurrection Catholic Church's cemetery in Moneta, Virginia, on Tuesday, December 20th at 12:00 p.m.
Bucktrout Funeral Home is assisting the family.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Lehman
Sponsored by Bucktrout of Williamsburg Funeral Service.
Joy Swift
December 16, 2023
Always remembered !
Shirlee Schiavoni
December 12, 2023
Our prayers are with you at this time. Remembering Fr. Joe on his first anniversary in heaven,
Interceding and watching over all of you and his flock. God bless you all.
The Schiavoni family from Resurrection Catholic Church
E
December 31, 2022
My deepest condolences. May God's Holy Spirit be with the family. I pray that he brings comfort to you all at this hard time.
Anne Keeley Allison
December 21, 2022
Everyone Fr. Joe met became his friend and loved him for his spiritual guidance and genuine Christ-like connection. We are all blessed to have known him. He was a part of our family. He is now with the angels. He has earned his wings, a good & faithful servant.
Sincere condolences to the family.
The Beltran Family
December 21, 2022
Father Joe was such a beautiful light in this world. He was an exemplary model of selfless service, which he gave with joyous energy and without limitation or conditions. We knew him in the early 1980´s when he came to our Catholic high school as a new priest and was loved by all; we remember him dancing at the prom! He was always there for our family, from officiating a wedding during the early years of his pastoral work, to baptizing one of our children, and later offering a funeral Mass for our mother. Through his work as a servant of God, Father Joe has been a pillar of gentle wisdom, guidance and comfort. Unfailingly helpful, kind, steadfast, and smiling, he will be immensely missed.
Teresa and Steve Stanley
December 20, 2022
Our hearts are broken. We lost a true gem in the loss of Joe. He was an absolutely amazing man...a true gift to the priesthood and everyone he ever came in contact with. We really miss you Joe!
Shirlee Schiavoni
December 19, 2022
I loved Fr. Joe because even though I was a visitor to Our Lady of Nazareth, he remembered my name when I received communion.
Rene and Tom Sykes
December 19, 2022
How grateful we are to have known and enjoyed Fr. Joe's company. Heaven rejoices at the coming of this faithful servant.
Frank Wiggins
December 19, 2022
Monsigner Joe Lehman was a good friend of mine. We would always get together for dinner or talk in the office every time I visited my mother in Roanoke. It was always a joy to be around him. He had a great smile and his laughter were filled the room. Joe will be missed by all. He showed us his great commitment to the Word of God, the Eucharist and the people of God. Now he is with God in the kingdom. My he rest in peace. Fr. Frank Wiggins.
Michael L. Bentley
December 19, 2022
Representing the Episcopal Church, I was a member of the ecumenical Environmental Committee at OLN Church when Fr. Joe was pastor there. He always remembered my name when I saw him and he always honored the ministry of my wife, the rector of St. James Episcopal in Roanoke. He was a wonderful human being and a model Christian in every way. May he rest in peace.
connie grubb
December 18, 2022
Sending my sincere condolences to the family of Father Joe and all who are mourning. Especially his Mother. May God comfort you with His LOVE. I am saddened that we have lost a friend and confidant. He was a shining example of what a person should be in walking with the Lord. He presided over my wedding and helped me thru my husbands passing this year. He and Father Joe had a very special bond. I will always love him and carry him in my heart. Heaven has gained a Blessed Angel. May Father Joe rejoice in Gods loving arms forever. I thank the Lord for allowing us to have Father Joe here on earth, even for a short while. May he rest in Peace.
Friends in Christ,
Connie Grubb
John Birmingham
December 18, 2022
I talked to Joe Lehman at a friend's funeral when he was still young and healthy looking, in his 60s then, I had no idea of his age and assumed he was younger until I read this obituary. I think that may give some people some hope that someone as kind and beautiful as him who I feel that for sure he was on his way to Heaven also got to look okay and apparently was very comfortable and at peace while he was alive. It reassured me that he did start to age in his late 60s that he continued being as kind and good as he ever was and did not make his looks or money or earthly things a first priority. There is a story I would like to share that at my Uncle Richard's funeral I think, or my cousin John Conway's funeral, Joe told me a really funny joke. I think it was that someone was talking about earning 6 figures a year, and he said something like "I make 6 figures. I make $3000 and when you count the cents, its six figures! $3000.00," I thought it was so funny and I didn't understand how Godly and good it was at the time. I had still valued money a little too much when he told me the joke and hadn't let that go and realized that you work with all you have for the glory of God and then the money may or may not be for you. The results of your labor on earth are up to God if you become richer or if you are poorer. You know, I think the church provided him a place to live and he got to enjoy a quality of life that was really good and not at the poverty level for all the work he did for God on earth, and he trusted God with what would be provided for him, like we are supposed to give our lives and souls to God and trust in Him and trust Jesus and love God and Jesus the most and be happy with where we are, not to want anything more. I know its not easy on earth for most of us. I think he showed us all thet you can be really kind to others and good people who live for God and Jesus and also get to not have to suffer that much.
Robert and Joy Swift
December 18, 2022
He will be so missed by
so many people. Rest in peace Father Joe !
elaine
December 18, 2022
sadden to hear of father Lehman. he was a devoted follower of our savior and may he share Christmas and eternity with Jesus. prayers with his family and friends.
Davis Byrd Longsworth
December 18, 2022
Joe was a good and faithful friend. I will miss him and his kind words and when I felt bad he was always there for me. He made you feel like you were the most important person in the world.My heart is sad and heavy,but I pray I may see him again in heaven,hopefully soon.Love you always.
Lorna Jones
December 18, 2022
Wonderful, sweet, kind, funny, humble Fr. Joe. He officiated at my wedding, buried my first born, baptized my youngest. Holy Cross Church was blessed to have had him, and I will always love and remember him.
Michael Mugler
December 18, 2022
There is a special place in Heaven for our friend Joe Pat. The memories of growing up with Father Joe and his family in Hampton are full of love, laughter and kindness. May God bless his family, friends and loved ones.
Michael Mugler Jr
Victor Jose Trinidad
December 18, 2022
Rest in Peace Father Joe
Fr. Pat Doody CSSp DUBLIN IRELND
December 18, 2022
I have beautiful memories and good times shared with Fr. Joe when he was at Christ the King in Norfolk and I was Chaplain to De Paul Medical Centre and School of Nursing . May he bask forever in the sunshine of God´s Love.
Kimberlie Petrulis
December 17, 2022
saddened by this sudden death- such a great priest who helped us pick our wedding date- graced by his presence we were and he will be truly missed
Joyce Washington
December 17, 2022
I remember the bright smile Father Joe had during his time at Holy Cross . When he saw me, he would always say, I know who you are-Sherman´s mother. Father Joe will be missed and I hope he meets my son who is in heaven. Please accept my condolences. My prayers for your family.
Joyce Washington
Thelma Looms
December 17, 2022
You will be missed by so many. Fr. Joe. You showed us love for the Eucharist. May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow, and may you rest in peace.
Carol Brandely.
December 17, 2022
I will forever miss this humble, holy, hospitable man. He could be hilarious and serious but always loving. He loved to fish so I now see him fishing with the Apostles in Heaven. He taught us much by the way he lived.
Sr Rose Michael
December 17, 2022
Sr Rose Michael
December 17, 2022
Sr Rose Michael
December 17, 2022
Mgrs Joe Lehman is a Saint l came same year in St Bede 2019 and he made me comfortable very genuine holy kind loving man of God l will miss you for ever. Thank you Fr Joe for being visible Christ to all humanity. May your Soul RIP
Pam Hale Johnson
December 16, 2022
I grew up with Father Joe. The Lehman´s and the Hales went on vacation together. Also picnics and other family gatherings. My deepest sympathies to Beverly Lehman and all of Father Joe´s siblings. I loved him dearly.
Nikki Haber
December 16, 2022
He always knew what to say when I felt lost or needed help finding my way back to God. He was as he was for so many, my guiding light. Now, he is a guiding star and an angel and I will always remember the love he had for so many and I will always save a piece of chocolate for him... he had a sweet tooth and he and my mother loved sweets. Rest in Peace Father Joe, you are missed by so many who love you. I pray you will continue to guide us and help us in our lives. I love you Fr. Joe and I will miss you most of all.
Dottie Jo Whalen
December 16, 2022
I can´t believe that such a caring servant of our Lord has left this earthly life. My heart breaks. Fr. Joe was such a comforting pastoral advisor back in his time at Christ the King in Norfolk. I wasn´t even a parishioner, but a friend led me to him. He was a gentle listener and an even greater advisor. His guidance has brought me to a much deeper place in my faith and opened my eyes to searching out God´s path and purpose for me in this world. I know he is with our Savior, but he will be greatly missed by his earthly family and friends.
Mike and Lisa Tolusso
December 16, 2022
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
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