Joseph Walter Kolb

Joseph Walter Kolb was born to Beatrice and Walter Kolb in The Bronx, NY on September 22, 1946. Joe passed away at home, surrounded by his family, on February 12, 2024. Joe grew up on Long Island, NY. He enlisted in the United States Air Force when he turned 18, attaining the rank of Sergeant. Joe proudly served his country for four years. He spent his final two years of military service stationed in Seville, Spain, where he enjoyed embracing local culture, playing soccer, and buying fine leather boots. After his service, Joe returned to Long Island. He was wearing those fine leather boots when he met the love of his life, Jean Ann Kolb (née Kucera) in Kelly’s Irish House. Joe asked Jean to dance again and again, and she kept telling him no. But Joe was nothing if not tenacious, and she finally said yes. Joe and Jean were married on April 11, 1970. They spent almost 54 years dancing together through life’s adventures, one of the most fulfilling of which was starting a family. Joe and Jean had two daughters, Laura and Amy. Joe taught his daughters many things throughout his life. He taught them to swim, ride bikes, drive, and do algebra, although that last one is up for debate. Joe also taught them, through his own example, devotion to family, how to stand up for themselves and for what is right, and how to cuss like sailors. Joe worked for and retired from IBM after 30+ years. In his retirement, he enjoyed traveling with Jean, spending time with friends and family, being PopPop to three cherished grandkids, and playing golf. He played golf so frequently, in fact, that the grandkids believed it was his actual job. There was nothing Joe couldn’t build or fix. He was generous with his time, not just to his family, but to friends and neighbors as well. There was one cold winter in Virginia when several neighbors had pipes freeze and burst, and Joe went from one basement to another all day welding pipes back together. He wasn’t a plumber, mind you, but he was smart and incredibly resourceful. He was also an amazing cook, and to this day, no one can make baked ziti like he did. Joe is predeceased by his parents Beatrice and Walter Kolb and his sisters Joan Wiemann, Barbara Dahms, and Priscilla Pierce. Joe is survived by his beloved wife, Jean Ann Kolb; his daughter Laura Jean Kolb Marsh and her husband Scott; his daughter Amy Rebecca Kolb Strunck and her husband Erik; his grandchildren Elias, Elijah, and Lily Strunck; his sisters: Lois Wiemann, Fran Marchese, and Bea Lanzetti; his brothers: Richard Kolb, Robert Kolb, Walter Kolb, Thomas Kolb; many nieces and nephews; and his loyal dog, Sammi. It was Joe’s wish that any memorial tributes be made in the form of charitable donations to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation (https://t2t.org/).

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Joseph Walter Kolb

September 22, 1946 - February 12, 2024