Joe was born March 15, 1930 in Hartford, CT to Joseph and Mary Jane (Maisie) Dunn. Joe grew up in Wethersfield, CT with his two sisters Ruth and Mary and his life-long best friend Earl Martel and close friend Paul Halisey.
Joe graduated from Wethersfield High School, where he is a member of the athletic hall of fame, went on to attend New Britton Teachers College before transferring to the University of Connecticut where he lettered in baseball and soccer and graduated in 1953. Joe then proudly served in the United States Army as an MP during the Korean War.
Following college and his time in the Service, Joe started his career at Hamilton Standard in Connecticut before moving on to Travelers Insurance and finally settling in at NCR Corporation. Joe worked at NCR for 35 years and retired from there in 1992.
Joe met his wife Sue in Hollywood, Florida in 1956 while Sue was working for National Airlines as a flight attendant. They married in 1958 and were married for 56 years before Sue passed away in 2014. Sue and Joe together raised 4 children, mainly in Kettering where they moved in 1971. Sports were Joe’s passion his entire life with him being a huge UConn fan and becoming a big Ohio State follower as well. Joe especially loved baseball from playing as a kid, through college and afterwards. Joe was also an accomplished amateur golfer winning many events while at NCR Country Club and was a low handicapper through retirement and still played even during the year of his passing.
Joe will now be reunited with Sue and their daughter Anne Marie who passed away in 2007. He is survived by his children; Mary Jane Pioli (Dave) of Seattle, Mike Dunn (Julie) of Indianapolis, Tom Dunn of Kettering; his sister-in-law, Betty Jo Frost of Virginia; and his son-in-law Art Williams of Kettering. Joe’s grandchildren are Patrick Dunn, Kirsten Perkins (Scott), Erika Helnarski (Joe), Sullivan Dunn, Ciera Dunn, Gabrielle Dunn, Monica Dunn, Sienna Pioli and Isabella Pioli, and his great-grandchildren Fae and Desmond Perkins and Aiden, Kian and Gordon Helnarski.
Due to Covid 19 there will be no services. The family would like to thank and recognize the immense kindness and attention provided to Joe by Katrina DeGraff and Staff at Allisonville Meadows Assisted Living. She was his guardian angel when he needed it most.
In lieu of flowers or donations, the family asks that everyone find a way to help others and simply be kind to one another.
Eulogy by Mike Dunn:
Thanks for being here…for both my Dad and Mom and AM. Thanks for being part of their lives.
My dad was not a complicated guy…honest, abrasive, loyal, lived and spoke without a filter, well meaning. One thing that was really interesting about my dad was the small things in life were challenging for him to get along with…but when a big problem, or a big issue with our family came up, that was when he was at his best.I loved my dad…warts and all. He could make it tough to get past those warts sometimes, but you know, we all have warts of some sort.
So the question I have been asking myself is how can I be real and authentic and at the same time honor my dad with this eulogy? That was a really tough question. Then it came to me…I would take something he was really good at and pass it on here today.
One of the things my dad was really good at was telling people what to do. So, to pay homage to my dad today, I am going tell you all 5 things to do that in some way or another I learned by being my dad’s son…and like it was with dad, this isn’t a request. So here goes:
• Be positive…see that touchdown as a great pass and not poor defense. It makes life so much more fun.
• Spend your energy on things that matter…ask yourself, is this really worth my diverting my attention and am I adding value?
• Make a difference every day…you don’t have to cure cancer or create the new iPhone…but you can make someone smile or give a compliment. That can make all the difference to someone.
• Find something to be grateful for each day.
• Treasure your family and friends. They are all that really matter. And tell them how you feel about them…don’t assume they know.
So there you go…you can leave here today knowing that you have had one last set of instructions.
