Published: October 30, 2008 07:06 am         

Joseph Babis

Joseph E. “Joe” Babis, 78, formerly of Casey County, Ky., passed away Tuesday, October 28, 2008.

Joe was preceded in death by his dearest friend and lover, Cleta Mae Watson Callahan. He is the dear father of Joseph Vincent (and Beverly), Cathy, William (and LeeAnne), John (and Kathy), Tom, Diane (and Mark) Fricker and Tim (and Nicole) and dear stepfather of Terri Huff, Lisa (and Ron) Cornetet, Lance Haggard and Heather (and Agnes) Callahan. From his blended family of 11 children, he is the dear grandfather of 21 and great-grandfather of three. He is also the dear brother of Bernice (the late Max) Bacon, Bill, Bob (and Jett), Frank (and Pam) and Martha (and Richard) Bedal.

Joe was many things to many people. His grandchildren fondly remember “junking” with him. He would pile the kids into his Cadillac and take them shopping at Goodwill. He would give each kid 20 dollars to spend as their hearts desired. These memories are dear to each and every child.

After graduating in 1948 from Saint Francis De Sales High School in Utica, NY, Joe began his avionics career by joining the United States Navy and completing the Class A Aircraft Electronics School in Memphis, Tenn. While on active duty during the Korean War, 1948-1952, Joe served as an Aviation Electronics Technician while based in London, England; French Morocco; Key West, Fla. and NAS Oceana, Va. During that time, he flew as aircrew and installed and maintained navigation and communications equipment on various Navy aircraft, which included the F4U Corsair.

Following his Navy tour, Joe ventured to California to attend college and continue his career in electronics working at Long Beach Naval Shipyard. He later worked for Air Oasis in Long Beach where he set up and managed their avionics shop.

In 1957, Joe accepted an offer from Jerry Swart at Cincinnati Aircraft to set up and manage an avionics shop at Lunken Airport in Cincinnati, Ohio. Five years later in 1962, he established his own business, Avionics, Inc. and remained a lifetime pilot and advocate of aviation. He was awarded the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) for Avionics Technician of the Year in 2005. In July 2007, he sold Avionics, Inc. and continued to be involved in the aviation business.

Throughout Joe’s life, he generously supported the Shriners. It would please him if in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Shriners. Checks should be made out to Shriners Hospital for Children at 3229 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45229 or credit card donations called to Trish Planck at 513-872-6118.

A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at Valley Oak Cemetery.

Morris & Hislope Funeral Home, Science Hill, KY is in charge of local arrangements.

     

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