Joseph Orlando Vigo

Joseph was born in Swoyersville Pa on September 27, 1938, to Angelo and Mary Vigo. He grew up with two sisters, Carmela and Maria, along with his Uncle Carl. His father Angelo passed away when Joe was 12 yrs old. At 17, after graduating high school, Joe joined the Navy and began a 21+ year career that encompassed two conflicts, multiple deployments, duty stations and schools – including being called to Naval Fighter Weapons School (Top Gun). Following his naval retirement, he went into the defense industry private sector as a tech writer and analyst for SAIC. He used his GI Bill to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration in Computer Information Systems from National University.

It was during his Naval service that Joe met his wife-to-be, Lt. Mary Joyce Roberson. Joe and Mary married on March 9, 1963, and were together until her passing in 2005. They raised two daughters, Marie and Peggy. Joe loved his family and doted on his two grandsons, Brian and Scott. He stayed connected with relatives far and wide, often visiting his family on the East Coast. He was very proud of his Italian heritage and was known for making the family pasta sauce.

Joe had a wide variety of interests over the course of his life. He played golf and darts and competed in both. He and Mary had season tickets to the San Diego Chargers for close to 30 years and tailgated with their friends. Joe was avid fisherman. He preferred old movies, especially westerns and war epics. He enjoyed attending plays, operas, and symphonies with his wife or friends. In his retirement, Joe returned to his childhood pastime of model trains. In addition to collecting trains and running them on an impressive layout, he joined the San Diego 3-Railers and volunteered at the San Diego Model Railroad Museum in Balboa Park. He was a proud member of the VFW, BPOE (the Elks), American Legion, and FOE (the Eagles).

Joseph Vigo is survived by his daughters Marie Beckstrom and Peggy Lane, Son-in-Laws Jim Beckstrom and Doug Lane, and grandsons Brian and Scott Beckstrom. He leaves behind many more extended family and friends whom he loved. Joe will be missed and fondly remembered.