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Donald Joseph Obituary
Born in Akron, he lived most of his life in Kent and retired in 1991 to Lighthouse Point, Florida. In 1964, he founded Don Joseph, Inc. where he was a huge inspiration to all who had an opportunity to work with him. DJ served briefly in the U.S. Army and was active in many auto dealership organizations. He received numerous awards and recognitions throughout his years as an automobile dealer. DJ was not only a fantastic businessman, but a very caring individual. In his retirement, he fully embraced fun by boating, motorcoaching, horseback riding, motorcycling. He will be remembered as the life of the party! DJ was also a member of the Lighthouse Point Yacht Club.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Marilyn Ferriot. Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 30 years, Lana; son, Jeff (Karen) Joseph; daughter, Lynn (Bill) Newenhisen; step sons, Jim (Debbie) Wise, Mark (Mary Pat) Wise; brother, Dick (Wanda) Joseph; sister, Jackie (Ray) Darrell; grandchildren, Jillian (David) Pelland, Jessica (Daniel) Clemens, Jacob and Shannon Best, Peter Newenhisen, Kegan, Coreena, Griffen, Julie and Kelly Wise; seven great-grandchildren; and many other loving relatives and friends. He will be sadly missed but never forgotten.
The family would like to invite you to a "Life Celebration" open house from 4 to 7 p.m., Friday, February 3rd. at Todaro's Party Center, 1820 Akron-Peninsula Rd., Akron 44313. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Coleman Foundation, 5982 Rhodes Rd., Kent, OH 44240 or Victory Gallop Inc., 1745 N. Hametown Rd., Akron 44333.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Donald Joseph
February 3, 2012
Jeff, Lynn, Karen and Family, I am so sorry to hear the news. Even though it has been so long since I worked with you and your dad I thought of him often. It was you and your dad that gave me my start in a business I love! He was a positive influence in my life. He was very nice to me when I was very naive. Like the time when I started in 1975 at the Chrysler Toyota store and the very first day I was sent to the famous basement. The path led me directly into DJ's office. I walked in and he asked me if he could help me and I said I need to get some supplies from the basement and he looked at me with that serious face and said "John, I have been here from day one and I can tell you there is no basement" then he laughed. Or when Steve Greco and I were washing cars in the wash bay and we had a water fight, just as I shot Steve with a stream of water DJ walked right behind him, Steve ducked and DJ took the blast of water. He was such a good guy and he didn't fire me, just said boys maybe you should keep the water on the cars. I will never forget what your family and especially DJ meant to me. In your time of sadness be assured that he made an impact in the lives he touched especially mine! I hope God likes to party because he is about to have a grand celebration of a special life! God Bless! John Stamm
February 2, 2012
Jeff, Lynn and family,
Our Thoughts are with you and your family. Please know we are all thinking of you.
God Bless you
The Smith Family
Tom Buzzi
February 1, 2012
Jeff and Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family . I can remember many good times with DJ.
January 31, 2012
DJ,was an American success story.A man with compassion ,vision and a deep rooted love for friends and family.Don taught alot of us the meaning of integrity.For the privledge of knowing and working with you my life was Blessed.
Thank You and Rest easy .You'll never be far from our hearts
Steve Grescovich
January 31, 2012
The Joseph Family,
Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless.
January 31, 2012
Lynn and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss of your Dad. I will have a drink in his honor.
Deb Sullivan
Bob & Tina
January 30, 2012
Jeff, Karen & Family,
We would like to extend our heartfelt sympathy for the loss of your father. You are in our thoughts & prayers.
January 30, 2012
I stood watching as the ship sailed out to sea. The setting sun tinted his white sails with a golden light, and as he disappeared from sight a voice at my side whispered, "He is gone".
But the sea was a narrow one. On the farther shore a band of friends and loved ones had gathered to watch and wait in happy expectation. Suddenly they caught sight of the sail and, at the very moment when my companion had whispered, "He is gone" a glad shout went up in joyous welcome, "Here he comes!"
Rest in Peace Rock!
Paige Wicks
January 30, 2012
Lynn and family,
Our deepest sympathies. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
RANDY TURNER
January 30, 2012
Jeff and Family... I had the pleasure of meeting Don a couple of times, but always heard great things about him. He was known in the business for being a Man people loved to work for. Johnny "O" had alot of funny stories that he used to share with me! I know he will be missed by all.
GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!!
Ron Hummel
January 30, 2012
To Jeff & Karen and family I wish to express my deepest sympathy for your loss. I will pray to the Lord to give you all strength and peace through this most difficult time.
bradley miller
January 30, 2012
sorry to hear he is gone
Debbie Ruttenberg
January 30, 2012
Jeff and Karen, I am so sorry to hear about your dads passing. I remember his smile and his wit! Remember all the great years you had with him. God bless you and your family.
bradley miller
January 30, 2012
a man who new what the word fun ment,and the best place to work,sorry to hear he is gone
Stephanie Borak (DeLEO)
January 30, 2012
Dear Jeff and Karen,
I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Love,
Bill Minnick
January 30, 2012
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.
Guy Welsch
January 29, 2012
Sorry to hear of your loss.'Your family are in our prays.The Guy Welsch family
Ruth Davis-Hastler
January 29, 2012
Dear Lana and family,
I am very sorry for your loss. I pray that your fond memories bring you comfort during the difficult time ahead.
Connie Curry Bost
January 29, 2012
Great memories of that smile. I can almost hear him laugh. Know you are in our prayers.
Teresa Lamb
January 29, 2012
Dear Lana,
My thoughts and prayers are with you know. Thank you for allowing me to clean your beautiful home. I will truly miss him.
Don and Cheryl Lessem
January 29, 2012
To Lana, Jeff and family,
We extend our deepest sympathies to the entire family. Our relationship both business and social leaves us with many fond memories.
Tom Beckmeyer
January 29, 2012
Jeff and family,my prayers are with you at this sad time.I loved hearing the stories about your dad wish we could have know him better he was a special man.Love Alison and Tom.
Stephanie Hummel-Shane
January 29, 2012
Jeff and Family, I'm so very sorry for your loss. May you take comfort in the fact that he is now resting in peace. You all will be in my prayers as you go through this difficult time.
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