Joseph Anthony Diana, Jr.

Joseph A. Diana, Jr. died Sunday June 15, 2014, at his home in Ann Arbor, MI. Joe was born June 26, 1924 in New Castle, PA, the only son of Emma Eardly and Joseph A. Diana, Sr. On June 26, 1946 he married Kathryn June Matthews at St. Mary’s Student Chapel in Ann Arbor. He is survived by Kathryn and their sons: Mark Steven Diana of Adrian, Todd Francis Diana of Taylor; and Chris Joseph Diana of Urbana, IL. A fourth son, Paul Jeffrey Diana, died in 2009. Also surviving are six grandchildren: Eric Steckler of Chicago, IL, Matthew Diana of Champaign, IL, Emily Kelley of Flushing, Sarah Preston of Ann Arbor, Andrew Diana of Ypsilanti, and Kayla Mayday of Taylor; and great grandchildren: Logan Hodges of Champaign, IL and Alexandra Kelley of Flushing.

He graduated from New Castle High School in June 1942. After briefly attending the University of Notre Dame, Joe transferred to the University of Michigan, where he received his B.A. in history. He was a schoolteacher at Porter School in Alpha, MI in 1947-48 and also at University High School in Ann Arbor from 1951-53.

Joe began working at the University of Michigan in 1950 as a messenger with the Engineering Research Institute. He worked in various administrative capacities for the university, and the UM Medical School, through the 1950’s and 1960’s, becoming Assistant Controller for the University in 1969.

In 1970 Joe was named Vice President for Finance and Management at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. In 1975 he became Vice Chancellor for Administration at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign Campus. In 1977 he assumed the duties of Associate Vice President of the University of Illinois, responsible for the business affairs of the Chicago Circle and Chicago Medical Center campuses, as well as the main campus at Urbana-Champaign.

In 1978 he was named Vice President for Administration and Treasurer of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Joe was instrumental in the start-up of the Foundation and its programs, serving also as a Trustee for the Prize Fellow Trust, and as the interim publisher of Harper’s Magazine. He retired from the Foundation in 1985.

During his long career, Joe served as a consultant to many non-profit organizations and government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). He was a trusted advisor on grant programs for health profession schools and colleges, as well as non-profit organizations, and Joe was particularly proud of his work in this regard over the years.

Joe and his family returned to Ann Arbor upon his retirement. He enjoyed gardening, especially growing roses, traveling with his family, and following University of Michigan sports. He served as a Trustee of Forest Hill Cemetery in Ann Arbor from 1989-2014, and as President of the Board from 1979-99.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation for the Forest Hill Cemetery Reforestation Program, or to the University of Michigan Mott Children’s Hospital.