Major Joseph V. McNABB USAF (Ret.)

3 Dec. '10--I was visiting my son in San Diego over Thanksgiving and ran into a very interesting gent named Dean Smith. Dean is the academic dean of Cadets at the Air Force Academy. In the course of discussion, I asked if he might be able to locate an old school-mate of mine, Joe McNabb. Today Dean sent me the sad news of Joe's passing.
Joe and I went through Grammar School and a few years of High School together in Newton, MA. We competed academically throughout those years and Joe was always a bit smarter than I was! He went off to the Air Force Academy and I went off to the Naval Academy. I'm sad to say that was the last time we saw each other. Joe flew F-4 Phantoms in the Air Force; I flew F-4 Phantoms in the Marine Corps. He served in Vietnam; so did I. He retired with 23 years; I retired with 26 years. We had so much in common and never got to share it with each other. I knew him as a great guy and we could have been close buddies if we flew or "lawyered" together.
Kathy, Tom and all of Joe's family, please accept my sincere condolences and prayers for Joe.

J V was a great pilot, bowling teammate and most important, a good friend. I have regretted not getting together with Joe and Kathy through the years, but have thought of him often. Someday I will again fly in the pit with J V at the stick. Rest in peace.

Please accept my condolences. Joe was a good friend though we lost contact when we went to college and into the AF he was always remembered and thought of in some very funny and happy ways. He will be missed. Joey and I spent our time together from kindergarten through college. May you have all the peace of this world in your warm memories.

I just wanted to say how much Joe meant to me. He was one of the best attorneys that I have had the pleasure of working for and also a dear friend. I will miss his wonderful laugh. I know he will be one of God's best angels and will look out for all of us left behind.

Joe, I will see you again one day and look forward to hearing your wonderful laugh. Rest in Peace my friend.

I just opened the Rat Digest and learned of your loss. Please know that our prayers are with you and your family. Seems like only yesterday that I was flying with Joe -- could it really have been 45 years?

Just imagine how Joe felt when "He Reached Out and Touched the Face of God"!

May we all fly together again some day.

Just read the sad news on the RatNet Digest. I have thought of Joe often throughout the years and am sorry we lost contact after departing Ramstein AB. Kathy, please contact Darlene and me at your earliest convenience so we could reminisce about Joe and the impact he had on our lives. Joe was the best pilot I had the privilege of flying with, I miss him dearly.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. I hope my boys grow up to be as strong and honorable as Joe. - Greg & The Egan Family

Just got the sad news on the River Rats list serve. Joe and I went through flight school and F-4 training and deployed to SEA at the same time. I regret that we did not keep in touch after the war. He was a great guy and would have added joy and friendship to my life. I know his family was blessed by his good humor and love of fun.

We will miss Joe, and will forever remember him as our dear friend and golfing partner. Joe had an infectious laugh and a great sense of humor. Our thoughts and prayers are with the McNabb family as they grieve his passing, and hold tight to the memories that will be forever in their hearts.

We remember great memories and good times with Joe (jelly bean) and Kathy
Frank and Charlene Doud

Our deepest sympathy to the McNabb family.
We will forever remember Joe as a remarkable man who lived an extraordinary life. It was a privilege to work with him.
Our thoughts and prayers remain with you during this difficult time.

We all will miss how wonderful Joe was from the days that he was born until now. I was fortunate enough to become Joe's friends from the days of caddying with him. Joe considered this his pride and fun when we were young. Your friend, Joe Pacione