Joe Read, better known as "Papa" to friends and family, passed from this life on November 29, 2018.  Born September 19, 1932 in New York City, he is survived by his loving wife of almost 60 years (Lea), his mother (Aida), four children (Joe (wife Nancy), Pat (wife Jeanna), Tom, and Kim (husband Phil)), ten grandchildren, and a great granddaughter.

Papa loved this country and served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War.  Papa was a crew chief, responsible for keeping planes flying and fighting off an aircraft carrier.  It speaks volumes about Papa that of all the horrors of war, he was most haunted by a pilot who went missing (presumed crashed) and whose body was never recovered.  For Papa, this was his plane and his pilot… and Marines leave no man behind.  That experience inspired Papa to become a pilot.  He courted Lea flying up and down the Rhode Island coastline.  When the children were young, Papa would take all four of them for Sunday afternoon flights.  During the 1960s, Papa was the head of the Civil Air Patrol for Western Massachusetts – a US Air Force auxiliary organization that carries out emergency services and disaster relief missions.

His Marine training carried through his life in many ways.  One of the most visible was his love affair with guns.  While he collected firearms and enjoyed target shooting, he was passionate about teaching gun safety.  Every one of his children and grandchildren has been through Papa's gun safety training.

Papa was always working with his hands and always telling a story.  He owned a plumbing contracting company for many years, and later successfully managed a stock brokerage.  In retirement, he and Lea purchased a home and land in Fancy Gap.  Living just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, the couple kept goats, chickens, cattle, and horses.  For years they were noted breeders of Great Pyrenees.  His children and grandchildren knew Papa as a teller of tales… sometimes funny, sometimes suspenseful, always entertaining.

Above all else, Papa was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.  Every member of his family knew they were loved.  Ronald Reagan said, "Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference.  The Marines don't have that problem."  The Gipper must have known Papa.

Visitation and a funeral service will be at Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel in Hillsville, VA, beginning at 10:00 a.m., with the funeral service to follow at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 4, 2018.  Interment will be immediately following at the cemetery at Bluemont Presbyterian Church. Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel is serving the family.