Joseph Jacob Kirchner passed away at Meadow Glen in Leesburg, VA on November 25, 2010 at the age of 87. He was born on March 29, 1923 in Islip Terrace, NY to the late Henry and Elizabeth Kirchner. He was predeceased by his sister Alma and brothers Johnny, Hugo, Henry and Arthur. He was the beloved husband of the late Lorraine A. Kirchner for 57 years and the loving father of the late William J. Kirchner.
Joe was employed by Entenmann's Bakery in Bay Shore, NY and Sperry Gyroscope Company in Brooklyn, NY prior to enlisting in the Army. As a master sergeant he was attached to the Fifth Strategic Air Depot in France, along with 250 other men during World War II. He was partly responsible for repairing and returning nearly 600 aircraft and salvaging 300 additional aircraft belonging to the U.S. 8th Air Force. He was also a member of an 11 man mobile crew responsible for repairing 25 battle damaged aircraft in 28 days just outside Metz, France, after the planes had delivered supplies to Holland.
After the military service Joe was employed by the Singer Corporation for 35 years. Initially hired as a member of the flight ground crew in Westchester County, NY, he soon earned his captain's license. As a corporate pilot he navigated jet aircraft throughout the U.S. and abroad. Following this he enjoyed a second career as a Program Manager at Singer Link in Silver Spring, MD. As the individual responsible for overall project development of military simulators he cultivated relationships with clients, including the U.S. Navy.
Joe enjoyed many hobbies including home design, construction and landscaping. He was also passionate about music, electronics, photography, and computers. He was an avid fan of the NFL NY Giants. His community involvement included local government and protecting endangered wildlife such as loggerhead sea turtles. He also spent many years coaching his children in sports such as ice hockey and football.
Joe was the beloved brother of Florence; and the loving father of Bradley and Elizabeth Kirchner, Beverly and Thomas Perkins, Joanne and Thomas Quass, Diane and Edward Lillis, Jeffrey Kirchner, and Leigh Kirchner. He was the grandfather of 13 and the great grandfather of 9. Memorial contributions may be made to Evercare Hospice 1208 Sunrise Valley DR, #400, Reston, VA 20191-3434.