Joseph R. Blair Jr.

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.