Born on July 5, 1923, in Altoona, Pa., Joseph grew up in a Catholic family of five children. After completing high school in Huntingdon, Pa., he enlisted with the Pennsylvania National Guard, launching a military career that took him from the European Theater with the U.S. Army’s 28th Division during WWII to two tours of Vietnam, the final deployment as a lieutenant colonel commanding an engineer battalion. In WWII, he rose in rank to sergeant major and fought in the Battle of the Hürtgen Forest and other engagements leading up to Germany’s surrender. He retired in 1970 as a decorated veteran, with the Croix de Guerre Lux, Bronze Star with two oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal and Legion of Merit among the service awards he garnered.
In 1950, he married Jeanne Irene Graham of Huntingdon. The two had been classmates at Huntingdon Area High School but barely knew each other at the time. Together they raised four children: Frederick Allen Mays, Jeanne’s son from a previous marriage, Rebecca Anne Boslet (1953, Germany), Kathlyne Joyce Boslet (1955, New York City) and Michael Anthony Boslet (1957, Japan). From 1967-69, the couple and their three young children lived in Bangkok, Thailand, a supply outpost supporting the war in Vietnam.
As a military retiree living in Orlando, Joseph leveraged his Army logistics and transportation experience to head ABC Liquors’ warehouse and supply operation through the 1970s and into the ’80s. In 1988 he retired from working life and put his newfound spare time to good use traveling with Jeanne and doting on his grandchildren.
Joseph enjoyed partying with his adult children, and he and Jeanne hosted legendary Christmas and New Year’s Eve soirees at their home. He was a generous tipper to the wait staff at Le Coq Au Vin, a favorite dining out spot, enjoyed relaxing and tanning on Cocoa Beach, and formed a close bond with his daughter Kathlyne and her family in Orlando. He and Jeanne were a constant presence in her children’s lives, from childhood into their adult years.
The couple’s marriage of 63 years ended in January 2013 when Jeanne passed away at age 90 with family members by her bedside.
For the following seven years, daughter Rebecca fulfilled the role of fulltime caregiver as Joseph’s health deteriorated and he became bedridden. She was by his side when he took his last breath.
Joseph is survived by his four children, nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. His cremated remains will be interred at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery with full military honors.
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