Joseph H. Markey
February 20, 1925 – March 3, 2011
Joseph H. Markey left on the 3rd of March, 2011, after a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by family.
Joe was born February 20, 1925 in Seattle, Washington, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Markey. In 1927 he moved with his family to Manila, the Philippines, where he lived for over 5 years, returning to Bainbridge Island, WA, in 1933. He graduated from Bainbridge High School in 1943, and soon after enlisted in the Navy, graduating in the top ten percent of his Class A school as a Motor Machinist Mate, 3rd class (MoMM3). Joe served during WWII in the Pacific Theater on the submarine tenders USS Sperry and USS Greenlet, and achieved the rank of Motor Machinist’s Mate 2nd class (MoMM2). He was present for the signing of the treaty ending the war with Japan in Yokosuka, Japan, in 1945, and was part of an elite crew that disarmed or relocated key boats of the Japanese Imperial Navy’s submarine fleet to Hawaii.
Following the war, Joe worked in the engine rooms of yachts between Seattle and Alaska, and attended the University of Washington, earning a BS in mechanical engineering. In 1950 he was hired by the General Electric Co. as a field engineer and startup supervisor where he traveled throughout North and South America, building, commissioning and repairing steam turbine power plants. He was later promoted to Manager, Field Engineering Development and Internal Technical Training (Mechanical), where he was instrumental in creating the Field Engineering Development Center on Balltown Road in Niskayuna. After 36 years of service he retired from GE in 1986, and worked as a consultant for Schenectady Learning Systems.
Joe enjoyed learning about and riding on ships and trains, was an expert on New England Dutch Barns, and enjoyed playing golf. He was active in the community, providing income tax assistance through AARP for many years. Joe was an active parishioner of Our Lady of Fatima Church.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Barbara Cresswell Markey.
Joe was very proud of his family, Margaret Corey (Mark) and their children, Michael Alexander and Mary Catherine of Niskayuna, Stephen Markey (Sharon) and their daughter, Kira Marie of Poulsbo, WA, William Markey (Nicole) and their son, Samuel Haven of Sturbridge, MA, and Ann Prouty (Martin) and their children, Fletcher Lee and Robert Joseph of Kula, HI. He is also survived by his sister, Nancy Benjamin, nieces, nephews and several cousins.
He was predeceased by his brother, James Markey.
A Mass of Christian Burial, followed by a reception celebrating Joe’s life, will be held at 9 a.m. Monday March 7 in Our Lady of Fatima Church, 2216 Rosa Rd., Schenectady, NY 12309. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Clinton, NY. Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Fatima Church, 2216 Rosa Road, Schenectady, NY 12309.
Arrangements by the Daly Funeral Home, Inc., 242 McClellan St., Schenectady, New York.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.dalyfuneralhome.com.
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