Joseph Francis Gessner Jr.

Known to everyone as Joe, Joe Joe, Uncle Joe, and by his grandchildren as “Pap,” he was a devoted public servant, a dedicated father and a great friend to all. Born and raised in Waverly, he is remembered fondly by his childhood friends. Stephen and Nancy Barnaba wrote: “Growing up in Waverly, his service to our country, and service with the BCFD, it's time to rest in peace. May the Gessner family know that Joe was a great guy to grow up within the Waverly community as well as to work within the fire department in Baltimore City.”

He attended Mervo high school, worked in the sheet metal business with his uncle before enrolling in the United States Army. In the military, he became a firefighter, a career he would continue upon his discharge. He followed in his father’s and brother’s footsteps and joined the Baltimore City Fire Department in October 1968. He worked as several stations before he landed at Truck 7 on Greenmount Avenue, near the old Memorial Stadium. He retired from Truck 30 in May of 2000, after 32 years of public service. Upon retirement, he worked for his nephew’s company doing residential fire and water restoration.

He was a consummate and caring family man. The fiancée of his grandson, Chelsea Hooker portrays it well: “I was first introduced to "Pap" almost 5 years ago when I started dating his grandson, Zach. Both of my grandfathers had passed by this time and Pap reminded me so much of my Poppy. They were both Baltimore City firefighters and had served in the military. Pap was also the heart of the family and would do anything he could to help someone in need or just to put a smile on your face. Losing Pap has been much like losing my own grandfather. I know Pap will be looking down on Zach and I on our wedding day in May.”

An avid sports fan, his hobbies included fishing, golfing and crabbing. He was a member of the Fire and Police Golf Association and was well known in his neighborhood for bringing home bushels of crabs and hosting crab feasts for family and friends.

In addition to his wife of 45 years, Jayne (Ross) Gessner, a retired Human Resources Executive at area nonprofit organizations, he is survived by his daughter Bridgette who lives in Pasadena, a son Geoff who lives in Ten Hills and a son Jason from Bel Air; daughters in law: Lisa, Lisa and Mary, a brother Richard, three sisters: Nora, Cass and Deborah, and eight grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents Joe Sr. and Nora, a younger brother Bobby and an older sister Joann.

Viewing will be held at the Schimunek Funeral Home, 610 West MacPhail Road, BelAir, Maryland on Friday, January 18, 2019, 3:00-5:00 p.m. and 7:00-9:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m.-Noon. A Celebration of Life will be held on January 19, 2019 from 1:00-5:00 p.m. at the Moose Lodge, 310 E. Jarrettsville Road, Forest Hill, Maryland.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Kylee’s Dancing Angels, P.O. Box 60, Baldwin, Maryland 21013 or see link below.