Armand Joseph ("Joe") Caron, age 64, passed away Friday evening, January 10, 2025, at Inova Loudoun, while surrounded by family after a long illness.  He is predeceased by his father and mother, Armand ("Bud") and Mary Caron, and is survived by his brothers Jimmy, Rob (Nicole), and Paul (Tracey), his niece (Stephanie (Matt) Drewnowski) and his nephews (Rhett, Brandt, and Bryce Caron).

Joe was born on May 6, 1960, in Melbourne, Florida as the first child and oldest son.  He grew up in New Jersey in the 1960s and Maryland in the 1970s.  Beginning in his high school years, he began his lifelong struggle with spinal scoliosis, with perseverance and optimism.  With his easy demeanor he developed friendships through his participation in the school choir, stage crew, and theater.  He performed in the musical Pippin for which he received the Directors Award.  He also received a Service Award for his activities.  It was in high school he joined the workforce by working as a high school clerk at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Following graduation, Joe took courses at Montgomery County Community College.  He later joined Automatic Data Processing (ADP) where he worked for many years.  After ADP moved across the state, Joe worked at various other companies.  He was known as a dependable worker.  He was also the older brother who would drive you to school when you missed the bus even if it meant he would be late to work.  Joe also had an amazing gift of savant-level memory for dates and details that never ceased to amaze family and friends.

Joe married in 1993 and enjoyed trips to Key West, Bermuda, and around the Caribbean. They divorced over a decade later; and Joe was able to move in with his dad to support him as he fought cancer.  After his dad passed in 2010, Joe moved to Leesburg to live with his brother Paul, Paul's wife Tracey, and their sons.  He will be a deeply missed member of their family home.

In Virginia, Joe joined K2M, which later joined the Stryker family.  He was very proud of his work at Stryker (a brand name he and his family would point out during hospital visits including during his last hospitalization).  Joe's happiness was found in working; attending Saturday evening Mass; having Sunday lunches with his friend, Jo Ellen; driving his car; watching old tv shows; keeping up with the news; and supporting the Washington Commanders football team.  In essence, Joe's enjoyment was grounded in family, friends, his faith, fulfillment at work, and of course his car.

Unfortunately, several years ago Joe was diagnosed with Parkinsons, which predisposed him to the risk of aspirational pneumonia.  He pursued medicines, therapy, and even deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery to help manage his Parkinsons.  He struggled with the debilitations of Parkinsons, but he persevered as best he could while always staying optimistic.  In late November, he was hospitalized with severe pneumonia.  For weeks, he fought to overcome his worsening pneumonia, which was further complicated by his scoliosis. Through it all, he was comforted by family, friends, and his faith.

Joe's life was marked by the love he gave and the lessons he indirectly taught those around him through his optimism, courage, and perseverance despite his differences and health challenges.  May he rest in peace.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude's Children Research Hospital, one of Joe's favorite charities. www.stjude.org