Longtime Sandy resident, Joseph Brockway died suddenly at his home on Thursday, March 1, 2012. He was 77.
A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, March 8, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. in the chapel of Sandy Funeral Home. A committal service with Military Honors will be held at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland at 1:30. A private family viewing will be held.
Joseph Mitchell Brockway was born on April 25, 1934 in Pine River, Minnesota to Clare and Leola Brockway. As a small child, the family moved to Oregon and made their home in Portland where Joe was raised and received his schooling. Shortly after graduating from Franklin High School, Joe entered the U.S. Army on April 2, 1953. He was honorably discharged on March 14, 1956. Joseph then moved to Seattle, Washington for a short time and was employed at Boeing.
On September 20, 1958 Joseph was united in marriage to Barbara Hooker in Portland. They made their home in Portland and Joseph began his career with Bonneville Power Administration. Besides pursuing his career, Joseph built an experimental aircraft which he flew for a few years before selling and he also built his family’s home here in Sandy. After 30 years of service, he retired at the age of 53 as a Graphic Artist. Joseph then was able to pursue many of his hobbies which included woodworking of both small and large projects. Joseph was a very outgoing and friendly man and made his “daily rounds” around Sandy to the different businesses. Joseph was a member of the Portland Parachute Club since his discharge in 1956 and he had over 2,000 jumps. He was was in the Army Reserves from 1956 until 1961. Joseph was a member of the Wy’East Artisans Guild and the Eagle Creek Grange.
Joe is survived by his wife Barbara of 53 years; his sons, Shawn and wife Florisa Brockway of St. Johns and Michael and wife Donna Brockway of Sandy; his brother, Bill Brockway of Seattle, Washington; his sisters, Iris White of Salem and Leila Derrick of Gaston; 4 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.