Joseph P. Bridge

Joseph P. Bridge, 64, of Kilmarnock, Va., formerly of Kittanning, died Thursday, Dec. 1, 2005 at his home.

He was born Nov. 18, 1941, in Washington, D.C., to William H. and Jeanne (Picard) Bridge. His family moved to Kittanning when he was young. He graduated from Kittanning High School in 1959 and received a degree from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh in 1965. He was employed by Eljer Plumbingware in Ford City and Sedwick & Associates as a landscape architect. He was an active member of the community. He was a past exalted ruler of the Kittanning BPOE 203 and was a coach for the North and South Buffalo little leagues. Mr. Bridge also served in the Pennsylvania National Guard. In 1983, he and his family moved to Virginia, where he joined W.M. Jordan Company and later started his own firm, Support Management Systems. He was a project manager for the construction of numerous schools and correctional facilities throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. He also designed many custom homes and landscaping projects until the time of his death. Mr. Bridge was a musician, an artist and avid fisherman. He enjoyed all sports and was a Pittsburgh Steelers and Virginia Tech football fan until the day he died. He also loved his pets, especially those that had been abandoned. Above all, he worked long and hard to provide a good life for his family. The strength, dignity and grace he displayed as he confronted his illness have left the deepest impression on those who loved him. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Judith (Wyant) Bridge, of Kilmarnock, formerly of Slate Lick; his mother; a son, J. Patrick Bridge and wife, Laura Young Bridge; two grandsons, William and Conner, of Palmyra, Va.; a son, R. Michael Bridge, of Kilmarnock; a sister, Mary Haley and husband, John, of Fairfax, Va.; and a brother, Michael Bridge, and wife, Rhonda, of Andrews AFB, Md. He was preceded in death by his father; and a brother, John E. Bridge. Mr. Bridge was a member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Kilmarnock, where a memorial service will be held Dec. 10. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Animal Welfare League of Kilmarnock, VA, 22482.?