June 28, 1944 - May 25, 2022
Joseph Edward Luetje, 77, passed away on May 25, 2022 surrounded by his family after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. The son of Joseph Edward Luetje, Sr., and Madeline (Cullen) Luetje, he was born in New York City on June 28th, 1944. He grew up in Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey with his two younger sisters.
Ed earned a Bachelor's degree from Baldwin Wallace College (1966) and then became a captain in the United States Air Force. While serving in the USAF, Ed met and fell in love with his wife of 54 years, Patricia Turk. Ed and Patricia moved to Portland, Maine in 1975, where Ed practiced as a CPA in the accounting firm of Gowen, Turgeon & Luetje until his retirement in 2010.
Ed’s many interests included traveling to warmer climates, music, playing piano, photography, and cycling, to name a few. He particularly enjoyed time spent on Long Island in Casco Bay with his family and the several friends he acquired on the island. He enjoyed sailing, socializing, and napping in the sun during the summer. Ed made friends wherever he went, and was loved and appreciated by those in his company.
Ed is survived by his wife Patricia Luetje. He is also survived by his children; Sara Beeler and husband Brad of Rhinebeck, NY, Elizabeth Luetje Fox of Kennebunk, Maine, and Joseph Edward Luetje Jr. and his wife Melissa of Freeport, Maine. His many grandchildren; James, Emily and Katherine Beeler; Cameron, William and Anna Fox; Jillian and Genevieve Luetje, and Kalli Kirkpatrick. His two sisters Jane Luetje and Anne Showers, nephew Christopher Showers and his daughter Lucy, and step-mother Kathy Prior.
Ed is preceded in death by his parents, and step father, Roger Prior.
Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial visitation on Wednesday, June 1, 2022 from 4-7 pm at Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland, Maine 04103.
Ed’s family wishes to express their gratitude for the love and support of family and friends along with the incredible kindness and skill of the staff at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, Scarborough.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Changing Tides Foundation, 772 Island Ave. Long Island, Maine 04050 or https://www.parkinson.org
