Joseph D. Greeley

My Dad

Aug 22, 1923 - Aug 20, 2008

Death of a loved one leaves a void which can never be filled, but fond memories are left to be treasured forever. Surrounded by his loving family, at 7:30pm on Wednesday night, August 20, 2008, Colonel Joseph D. Greeley, departed on his final flight into the heavens. He would have been 85 on Friday the 22nd.

My dad was especially wonderful and enjoyable man to be around. It was often said, when Joe Greeley speaks, people listen... he was a wise, compassionate, loving man that would give you the shirt off his back. He was always upbeat and took things in stride; nothing dampened his enthusiasm for life. His presence made the world immensely enjoyable for those nearby.

Of all the things important to him, after God and family, he had an everlasting love of flying, utmost appreciation of our Nation's military and passionate memories of his own Army-Air Corps experience as a World War II B17 bomber pilot. Having flown over 50 bombing missions before his 21st birthday over Nazi Germany and other enemy targets, many of those memories seemed as clear in his mind as if they happened last week, not 60 plus years ago. He was one of the best, being a proud recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross along with 2 Air Medals with Oak Leaf Clusters. It was an honor and a privilege for me to go flying with him aboard the Nine-o-Nine, one of the few remaining operational B17's remaining in the world last September... an 84th birthday present from his children and grandchildren. I was just the lucky one to experience it at his side, something I will never forget. I can't even describe what it meant to him as he stood behind the pilot and reminisced of days gone by.

As a Pease Greeter, he looked forward to dressing with pride in his Air Force uniform to meet and salute the young men and women about to deploy or who were just returning from worldwide war zones.

To respect my Dad's wishes, there will not be any calling hours nor a wake. A memorial service will take place at 10:00am, Friday, September 26, 2008 at St. John's United Methodist Church, 28 Cataract Ave., Dover followed be a full military burial at NH Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen, NH later that afternoon. I lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to the Pease Greeters in the name of Colonel Joseph D.Greeley.