Joseph Paul Ondek Jr.

Joseph P. Ondek, Jr., 84, of New Freedom, passed April 12, 2025. He was born June 16, 1940, in Washington, DC, to the late Joseph P. Ondek, Sr., and Elizabeth (nee Mahan) Ondek. Joe joined the Marine Corps in 1959 (Semper Fi), where he was among the first Marine contingents to serve in the Vietnam conflict. Afterward, he became a civilian employee at the U.S. Army Aberdeen Proving Ground in meteorology prior to switching to the environmental field, ultimately becoming Chief of the U.S. Army Aberdeen Test Center (ATC) Environmental Office. Joe successfully advocated for the establishment of the Maryland Environmental Technology Demonstration Center (METDC) and was appointed its Environmental Executive by Governor Paris Glendening. In 1999, he retired from civilian service and worked as a defense contractor until 2013.

Joe was a devoted husband and father. He was an avid outdoorsman and animal lover, ensuring at work that wildlife was handled safely and gently, often bringing injured animals home to nurse back to health. At work, he was known as “The Eagle Guy”. During his tenure at ATC, the bald eagle population flourished as a result of increased legal protections and Joe’s loving care. He was an accomplished and prolific nature photographer, with photos featured prominently at locations across APG, in the Pentagon, and in magazines. He also loved military history and telling stories about his interesting life.

He is survived by his wife Sherry, son Jay Buchman, and daughter-in-law Bobbi Buchman. He was predeceased by his parents and sisters Mary Niggles and Michel Curtin. He is also survived by his brother John Ondek, sister-in-law Abby Ondek, brother-in-law Greg Curtin, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Charles and Freda Levie, niece Stephanie Curtin, nephews Christopher, Michael, and Jack Ondek, one grand-nephew, and two grand-nieces.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Mountain Branch (1827 Mountain Road Joppa, MD 21085) on Wednesday, 23 April, from 3-6 pm and is open to all.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarrior.org), the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org), or Hospice for All Seasons (280 S. Hill Drive, Grantville PA, 17028).