Benjamin Joy

Anchorage resident Benjamin "Benny" Lounsbury Joy, 75, died April 18, 2007, in his sleep at home.
A celebration of life will be at 3 p.m., with visitation 2-3 p.m. today at Kehl's Forest Lawn Chapel, 11621 Old Seward Highway. A graveside service will be at 3 p.m. June 15 at Angelus Memorial Park. Mr. Joy was born March 18, 1932, in Spokane, Wash., to Harper and Dorothy Joy. He graduated from Lewis & Clark High School, attended Whitman College in Walla Walla, Wash., and graduated from Westlake College of Music in Hollywood, Calif.
Benny became a resident of Anchorage in 1960. He worked for the Alaska State Department of Labor from 1961 to 1988. After retirement he worked for several years at the Anchorage School District as a bus driver. He also had numerous music jobs as a professional musician in Alaska as well as in the Lower 48. He was affiliated with the Musicians Union in Anchorage and Hollywood, Calif.
Mr. Joy enjoyed sportfishing, hunting, playing music, showing and breeding Great Danes, traveling all over the United States and parts of Canada and traveling in his recreational vehicle in Alaska and Canada.
The family wrote: "Benny was an 'original' and a man who always put his family first. He was a natural entertainer who always enjoyed speaking or performing in front of large crowds. He was gifted with talent, humor, generosity and loyalty to his many friends, who were as varied as his interests. He was a true Alaskan who enjoyed a full life. Between being a professional musician and playing many places in Alaska, he also was active in the Alaska Sports Fishing Association, the Alaska Kennel Club and the Great Dane Club of Alaska. He and his wife, Jackie, enjoyed numerous fishing trips and many vacations Outside. Until his health kept him from the things he most enjoyed and the death of his dear wife and best friend, Jackie, he was always busy doing or helping someone. He was a wonderful father and friend. Our family will miss him forever."
Benny is survived by his daughters, Dorothy Joy and fiance, Howard Erkers, and Cathleen Joy of Anchorage; sister, Nancy Joy of Columbia, Md.; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jim and Bridie Joy of Alexandria, Va., Ed and Linda Joy of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jim and Pattie Hamilton of Soldotna; sons-in-laws, Tom Walls of Hilo, Hawaii, Dr. Bob Horwitz of Anchorage; grandsons, Benjamin Horwitz of Seattle, and Jesse, Zachary and MacKenzie Horwitz of Anchorage; granddaughter, Maribeth Horwitz; great-grandson, Kevin of California; numerous nephews, nieces and cousins in Alaska and the Lower 48; close friends, Dody and Fred Froehlich, Ron and Ruth Marcy, Milton and Mary Walton, all in Anchorage; canine companions, Casey and Tory; and many, many friends in the dog, fishing and music worlds that he enjoyed so much in his life.
He was preceded in death by Jackie, his wife of 40 years.
Memorial donations may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.
Local arrangements were with Kehl's Forest Lawn Mortuary & Crematory.