Josef S. Rizk

He graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, and from Midshipman School at Northwestern University, where he was commissioned as an Ensign. His first duty as a naval officer was aboard the USS Ramsey in the Pacific. He was then transferred to the Navy Yard at Pearl Harbor, supervising installations of radio, radar and sonar aboard ships of the fleet, and ultimately surviving the attack of December 7, 1941.

He later received classified technical training at MIT and the Naval Research Lab, and completed active duty at the Naval Yard at Mare Island. He then became commanding officer of a local naval reserve unit, and retired with the rank of Lieutenant Commander.

In civilian life, he was for a time in charge of the Marine Electronics Lab at the Gibbs Corporation. After becoming a Registered Professional Engineer, he taught radio and television at a technical institute, and was President of Southeastern Electronics, Inc.

Mr. Rizk was on the ground floor of the new television industry in Jacksonville, and most of his professional life was spent as an engineer for the Washington Post television station WJXT, originally known as WMBR.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Saleem and Wadeeha Fatouche Rizk; brothers, Dr. Wade, Fred and Kaleel Rizk; sister, Adele Rizk Moore; and wife, Mary. He is survived by his daughter, Melinda, and a number of nieces, nephews and extended family members.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, September 22 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul's Catholic Church, 2609 Park St. Corey-Kerlin Funeral Home, 940 Cesery Blvd. Jacksonville, Fl. 32211 is assisting the family.