Joseph James Leigh Jr.

Joe was born on May 20, 1947 in Philadelphia, PA to Joseph J. Leigh, Sr. and Dorothy Blessington Leigh. Joe grew up in Clifton Heights, PA attending Catholic schools from first grade through college, "in a coat and tie", as he liked to say. Joe graduated from Monsignor Bonner High School in June 1965 and attended La Salle College (now La Salle University) earning a BA in Economics in December 1969. Joe also earned an MS in Logistics Management from Florida Institute of Technology, an MA in National Security & Strategic Studies from the Naval War College, and an MA in Management from Salve Regina University in Newport, RI. During college, Joe was in ROTC, and as a Distinguished Military Graduate earned a regular Army Commission. Joe was sworn in to Active Duty as a Second Lieutenant with the U.S. Army on January 16, 1970 as a Field Artillery Officer, stationed at Fort Sill, OK, thus beginning the career he had wanted since he was 8 years old.

For the next 29 years, Joe served his Country in various assignments beginning at Ft. Sill, OK, where during 2 tours, he served as the Deputy Commander of the U.S. Army Field Artillery Training Center and Deputy Commander of III Corps Artillery; Ft. Bragg, NC, with 2 tours, both in the 82nd Airborne Division as a paratrooper, despite hating to fly and being afraid of heights; The Berlin Brigade in Berlin, West Germany; the Pentagon; the 6th infantry Division Artillery at Ft. Richardson (Anchorage) Alaska, where he commanded 4th Battalion 11th Field; Ft. Lewis, WA where he commanded 2nd Brigade 10th Field Artillery; Ft. Monroe, VA and a final duty station in the Digital Force Coordination Cell at Ft. Hood, TX. As part of Joe's advancing career, he attended Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, VA (1982), for courses in joint operations for intermediate officers, and The Naval War College at Newport, Rhode Island (1990-91 ), for courses for advanced officers to do research on all questions relating to warfare, and the prevention of war. Joe retired from Active Duty on December 1, 1998, at Ft. Hood, TX

During high school and college, Joe was a junior member and later a regular member of the Primus-Secane Volunteer Fire Department in Pennsylvania. Joe enjoyed this so much; he later joined the Sterling Volunteer Fire Department, Sterling VA, while stationed at The Pentagon. Starting as a firefighter, he later became the President of the Fire Company for 2 years. He was instrumental in getting a new fire station operational in Sugarland Run, a sister community to Sterling, and buying a new fire engine especially designed by the fire company. He was extremely proud of these accomplishments for this fire company.

After retiring from the Army, Joe became a Certified Financial Planner for United Services Planning Association, now First Command Financial Planning, in Killeen, TX. After two years, Joe decided he wanted to get back to dealing with the military world. In 2001, Joe started working for defense contractor MPRI, in Newport News, VA. Joe and Phyllis had the "dream home" built in Coventry, Yorktown, VA. Joe's first assignment with MPRI, was leading a team that helped rewrite the U.S. Army Training Manual. When completed, Joe felt this was one of his most important contributions to the Army. Joe continued to work for MPRI until his second retirement in 2011, after ten years.

Just before his second retirement, Joe and Phyllis decided to "downsize" from the "big" house. They bought a condo in The Villas at Five Forks and moved to Williamsburg in 2010. Since this was a new development, Joe immediately got involved in the management of the Condo Association, even before construction was completed. Joe proudly served on the Board of Directors for 8 years and as President for 6 of those years.

After 9 years at The Villas, Joe and Phyllis decided to build another home, this time in Nottingham Place at Ford's Colony. It was the joy of a years' work, selecting everything for this home and "supervising" the construction on a daily basis. Of course, once established in this home, Joe again became involved with the Home Owners' Association and served on the Board of Directors there, including as President, until his death.

Joe is survived by his wife of 44 years, Phyllis; his daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Ed Stacy of Hagerstown, MD; and his brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Barbara Leigh of Downingtown, PA. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Leigh Sr. and Dorothy Leigh; and his sister, Dottie Leigh Purnell.

A mass for Joseph will be held Thursday, January 11, 2024 at 9:00 AM at St. Bede Catholic Church, 3686 Ironbound Road, Williamsburg, Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Joe to The ALS Association, 30 W. Gude Drive, Suite 150, Rockville, MD 20850 or online at The ALS Association's website "donate" tab.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.NelsenWilliamsburg.com.