Joel William "Bill" Bravo

1928 - 2013

Bravo, Joel William "Bill"

8/25/1928 - 6/19/2013

Upper Lisle: Joel "Bill" Bravo went home to be with our Lord Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, June 19, 2013, at 5:10 p.m. He was predeceased by his former wife Sallie Mae Markham Bravo, his father Charles Bravo, and mother Linnie Louise Chapel Bravo. He is survived by his lovely second wife Mary Ruth Lee; his daughter Nancy Lynn (Michael) Rudock; his son Steven Eric (Isay) Bravo; his daughter Lauren Bravo and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by children of his blended family: Jim (Fran) Wade, Ruth (Jim) Stirneman, Richard Wade, Oralee (Isaac Graham), Becky (Garry) Smith, MaryAnn Lee and "Shawnie" Livingston. Dad was born August 25, 1928, in a blueberry patch in Great Bend, PA, where his mom and dad were picking blueberries. He and his extended family survived the Great Depression at a farm just outside Windsor, NY, where as an infant, Dad slept in a dresser drawer. He was brought up in a tightly knit devoted Christian family and as a young man, he enlisted in the Army. In February 1948, he was discharged honorably with the WW II Victory Medal, and he then reenlisted in March of 1948 to serve in Korea until October 1951 when he was honorably discharged after receiving a wound to his eyes from shrapnel. He came home and received an Associate's Degree in Applied Science at Binghamton University in 1952 and became a Design Engineer working for Link Aviation, G.A.F., and Smith Corona. He still has over 50 active design patents on the books, and right up to his passing on June 19, 2013, he drew and designed things for everyone around him at the Vets Home in Oxford, NY. He was an instructor for the Red Cross, a Squadron Leader in the Civil Air Patrol, and promoted to Major after 38 years of service in 1980. He was a member of the National Rifle Association where he served as a Rifle and Pistol Marksmanship Instructor. Dad was a born-again believer, a lover of good candy, and always a lover of his family. He spent his last years at the Vets Home encouraging all the staff with his stories and his wonderful artistic ability. We will miss his charm and sense of humor. Funeral services will be held Monday, June 24, 2013, at 11 a.m. at the Nichols Funeral Home, 7323 119th St. Whitney Point, NY 13862. Pastor Ron Maslin will be officiating. Burial will be in Upper Lisle Cemetery with Military Honors. The family will receive friends at the Nichols Funeral Home Monday from 10 a.m. until service time at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Veterans Home in Oxford, NY. Visitors are encouraged to bring a piece of candy for Dad's send away party. Online condolences can be made at www.nicholsfuneral.com