Joseph Donald Domzalski

Born on April 8, 1936, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Thaddeus (Fred) and Ruth Domzalski, Joe was raised there and graduated from The Northeast Catholic High School for Boys in 1954. After high school, he moved to Washington, DC, attending college at The George Washington University (GWU) during the day while working at night as a Stenographer in the Domestic Intelligence Division for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), where he first met his devoted wife of 58 years, Pearl.

In 1958, Joe enlisted in the United States Air Force. He displayed an aptitude for language and was chosen for a 12-month intensive course in the Chinese Mandarin Language at Yale University’s Institute of Far Eastern Languages. After completion with honors, he was stationed in Okinawa as voice intercept operator. While in the Air Force, Joe also continued his studies through a University of Maryland extension program and even qualified for Pi Sigma Alpha, a political science honorary society.

Joe was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1962 and returned to his position at the FBI. He and Pearl dated and were wed in 1963. In 1964, he not only graduated from GWU with a Bachelor of Arts in Government, Public Affairs, but was also accepted as a Special Agent for the FBI. His 32-year career with the FBI led to his living in Miami, New York, and Washington, DC, where he ultimately retired as Assistant Section Chief, Civil Rights and Special Inquiry Section, Criminal Investigative Division.

Always diligent, organized, and an expert with numbers and financial data, Joe then obtained his Master of Business Administration from George Mason University in 1987 and began his second career as a Certified Public Accountant at Brown, Dakes, Wannall and Nobrega in Fairfax, Virginia.

Viewed outwardly as quiet and scholarly, Joe had a quick wit and talent for making great Manhattans. He was known affectionately as “Poppy” by his grandchildren. Joe and Pearl shared many of the same interests, such as good movies, plays and musicals. They loved travelling throughout the United States. However, their favorite places were New Orleans, the Southwest and the Outer Banks, North Carolina. Joe also loved solving crossword and sudoku puzzles (in pen), reading historical mysteries and science fiction/fantasy books, listening to classical and jazz music and attending military band concerts. Additionally, he was a Civil War buff.

Joe was an active member of several organizations including the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI, where he held board positions; the Knights of Columbus, reaching 4th degree Knight and also serving as Grand Knight, Chancellor and Treasurer; and the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants and American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

When summing up his life, a quote from Pearl’s diary says it all: He is a strong man, but gentle; a firm man, but mild; a kind man; a religious man; an intelligent man; a patient man; a loving man; a good man.

Joe was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Pearl, and son, Joseph Matthew Domzalski of Richmond, Virginia. He was also preceded in death by his parents Thaddeus (Fred) and Ruth Domzalski and his brother, William Domzalski.

Joe is survived by his daughter, Marsha Hope and son-in-law, Christopher Hope of McKinney, Texas; daughter, Alicia Truitt and son-in-law, Steve Truitt of Manassas, Virginia; four grandchildren, Tyler Hope, Sydney Hope, Evan Truitt, and Elena Truitt; daughter-in-law, Pamela Domzalski of Redding, California; and brothers John Domzalski of Eugene, Oregon; Thaddeus (Ted) Domzalski of Barnegat, New Jersey; and David Domzalski of Wildwood Crest, New Jersey.

Viewing is on Sunday, September 22, 2024, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Demaine Funeral Home (10565 Main Street, Fairfax, Virginia). A funeral mass will be held Monday, September 23, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Ambrose Catholic Church (3901 Woodburn Road, Annandale, Virginia, 22003). A burial service will follow at Fairfax Memorial Park (9900 Braddock Road Fairfax, Virginia, 22032).