Joseph E. Begany, age 63, died in Carlisle Township, Ohio around 2:30 pm on June 30th, 2019 in an accident while flying his single-engine Piper Cub airplane. He is survived by his partner Janet Hoffmaster, his three adult children Ryan Begany, Matthew Begany, and Katelyn Arnemann, his granddaughter Samantha, and his siblings Andrea, Dorothy, Kaylyn, Mike, and Joanna, and a huge list of additional family and friends.
He was born on September 18th, 1955 near Fort Worth, Texas to Andrew and Barbara (Shrode) Begany, and was the oldest of six children. His father served in the U.S. Air Force, which took the family across the country until Joe graduated from Fairview High School. In his childhood, his adventurous and curious spirit was apparent to his siblings. For example, they remember he’d zip ahead of them while ice skating on the frozen creek, leaping full-speed over downed logs and rocks. An exceptional athlete, Joe competed in the state track and field championships for long jump.
He attended Kent State, where he received his Bachelor’s from the School of Architecture and Environmental Design. While at Kent, his creative talent and mechanical aptitude became obvious, culminating in the design and construction of his first wooden-geared clock. He went on to demonstrate his masterpieces on the Morning Show and displayed them in galleries. While attending school, he met his former wife, Peggy (Humel) Herman.
Joe returned to Fairview Park, Ohio to raise his three children and begin his career as an architect at NASA Glenn Research Center, where he worked for close to 30 years. His children fondly remember him as a devoted and loving father. He was involved in their school projects, clubs, and sporting events. He never missed a game and was an enthusiastic and vocal fan.
Joe was a hobbyist and sports enthusiast. He had a lifelong interest in sailing and airplanes, participating in sailboat races, RC helicopter competitions, golf and foosball tournaments, and fly-ins in his single-engine Piper Cub airplane. He was planning to build his own airplane and dreamed of one day flying it around the world.
Janet, his partner of 13 years, met him at a bachelor auction. While she didn’t win the auction, she feels she won the prize. They traveled extensively, and in a few years were hoping to retire in North Carolina.
Joe’s larger-than-life personality, laughter, and enthusiasm will live on in our memories. He was a good, honest man and lived his life whole-heartedly. For those who knew and loved him, his silence is deafening.
