Joseph Drella Kay

Joe was born to Virginia Drella & Stanley Robert Kwiatkowski .He was baptized into the Catholic Faith at St. Anthony’s Church, Toledo Ohio. In 1936, Joe’s mother lost her life to complications of childbirth with Joe’s only sibling James Virgil. Joe ‘s “Aunt Molly”, his father’s appointed housekeeper along with his mother’s aunts, particularly Aunt Celia, helped care for him at the famed White Eagle Café, family  business/residence in the Polish sector of Toledo. He often recalled cherished time spent with his cousin Mary Shubarga, who became like a sister to him.

Joe’s early childhood education took place at St. Hyacinth’s Catholic School and Church. He graduated from Toledo’s Central Catholic High School in 1949 and went on to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Business & Economics from the University of Dayton, Ohio in 1953. Joe played middle lineback for the Dayton Flyer  Football Team .Prior to graduation, Joe signed with the United States Marine Corps, was assigned as an Officer to Quantico, Camp Lejeune and ultimately to Puerto Rico. In 1962, Joe retired as a Reserve Officer with the rank of Captain.

Post Marine Corps duty found Joe back in Toledo. He was subsequently employed by Caterpillar Heavy Equipment Company in their sales division, Whiteway, Spaulding Lighting Manufacturing Company as General Sales Manager for the State of Florida in 1959. In that same year Joe married Patricia Ryan of Toledo at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Their first home was Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where they welcomed their first-born, Geralyn Marie. A simultaneous transfer was in effect for Joe to manage Whiteway’s West Coast operation. Joe also developed, managed and staffed the Whiteway Manufacturing Plant in La Mirada, California. North Hollywood was the first residence in California and eventually relocated to Orange County, CA. As the family expanded to seven children, the Bellehurst home in Buena Park housed the family’s growing years.

In 1971 Joe became Owner & President of Joe Kay Design & Construction Company and was in business for about 26 years. He later accepted the position of Executive Director, Society of St. Vincent de Paul for the Council of Orange, which he held for 8 years... Most recently Joe represented Visionaire Lighting as National Sales Agent and Nation Lighting Solutions, pursuing sales and serving as consultant in the outdoor lighting industry.

While tending to family (“hands-on” father) and his business career, Joe involved himself in many areas of volunteerism including: his avocation as Lay Vincentian with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, forming in 1965 the first St. Philip Benizi Parish Conference   under the direction of Servite Fr. Gabriel Weber and Fr. Donald Jensen, Spiritual Advisor. The Parish Christmas Basket Program was introduced by Joe, serving the many needy families of the community. Joe held office for 10 years as Conference President, Council of Orange Secretary and Vice- President for 15 years. In 1976 Joe served as Secretary to the SVdP Board in forming and executing the SVdP incorporation of the Council of Orange.  Joe was elected to terms each of three years as Council of Orange President in September, 1988. In the following years, Joe served as Executive Director for the Council of Orange, as well as Western Regional Conferenced Representative for the National SVdP Committee. He was also appointed Western Regional Vice-Chairman. Meantime, Joe served on the Special Works Board of Directors. He served on two SVdP National Committees: the National Building Committee and the Mission Statement. He worked diligently with outreach programs such as “Friends Outside”, Prison Ministry and Conflict Management. Joe received the Top Hat Award in 1994, the most distinguished recognition by SVdP for service performed. Joe was also a nominee for the St. Joseph “Man of the Year” award. Joe worked unceasingly without expecting any recognition; results of effort were his goal. Joe’s belief was that any reward for any good performed by him would be “out of this world”!

Joe’s Pet Project of 50 years was working with recruited volunteers supported by St. Philip’s SVdP Parish Conference in arranging and attending an annual Christmas visit to the patients at Metropolitan Hospital, Norwalk, CA

Perhaps of greatest significance was Joe’s steadfast commitment in assisting with the reconstruction of St. Philip Benizi Church, which was completely destroyed by arson in 2001. Joe used his career expertise as a general contractor to offer valuable input as a hands-on consultant member of the Building Committee.  He was gratified to be a part of constructing a holy place for worshiping God. Subsequently, Joe initiated a recently completed plan to develop a prayer garden encircling the church patio.

Joe participated in various Parish Ministries such as Lector, Eucharistic Minister to the Sick, Baptism Team, to mention a few. He was also proud and honored to be a 3rd Degree, 48 year member of the Knights of Columbus, Buena Park Council.

Joe’s volunteerism extended beyond Orange County, as he served as Vice-President and President of the Board of Directors of Volunteers for Life, based out of Los Angeles, a Pro-Life organization advocating for the voiceless unborn and protecting Life from conception to natural death.

Joe served on various school parent boards and booster clubs at St.Philip’s elementary School Assistance Committee, Rosary and Servite High Schools. He also headed a building expansion phase at Rosary High School, aka Rosary Academy.

While Joe had little time for hobbies, he enjoyed playing golf, and passed his passion for it onto his children and grandchildren, teaching them the game, etiquette and fun of the sport at Los Coyotes Country Club.

Joe was preceded in death by his mother Virginia; stepmother Bonnie; his father, Stanley Robert and brother, James Virgil. He is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years, Patricia Ann and his beloved seven children: Geralyn, Joseph E. (Laurie), Robert D. (Colleen), Molly (Peter), Bridget, Michelle, Tricia (Niki). Joe was the proud grandfather of 15 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

Joe’s primary goal in life was self-sanctification through serving the needs of the poor, knowing that there are many faces of the poor. He heard the cry of the poor and answered it!

FUNERAL SERVICE    Friday,October 14, 2022

Rosary 10:00 AM, Mass of Christian Burial 10:30 AM

 St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church, 235 S. Pine Drive, Fullerton, 92833

Internment:

Holy Sepulcher Cemetery 7845 Santiago Canyon Road, Orange, CA 92869

In lieu of flowers, please send donations or make a volunteer commitment to:

Society of St. Vincent de Paul

St. Philip Parish Conference

235 S. Pine Drive, Fullerton, CA 92833

Phone: (714) 871-3610