Joseph Charles Jablonski

Joe was born in Philadelphia, PA, on January 1, 1934 to father Joseph Jablonski and mother Josephine Mekolski. The oldest of two children, Joe moved as a young boy with his family to Maywood, NJ, where he was a Boy Scout, played football, and ran for the track and field team. Upon graduating high school, he enlisted in the US Marine Corps during the Korean War and completed service from 1952 - 1956 in the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing aviation unit. During his service, Joe received the National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal prior to his honorable discharge as a Sergeant in 1956.

After leaving the military, Joe married and settled in Northern NJ where he worked and was a volunteer EMT in the Ambulance Corps. Joe lived in NJ until he retired from PSEG after 46 years of service. Upon retiring, Joe moved to Northern VA where he enjoyed riding his Harley, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. Through his motorcycle clubs, Joe volunteered and participated in charity rides for the many causes he cared about: cancer (a 33-yr colon cancer survivor) and the humane care of animals. Anyone who knows Joe, is aware of his attachment to the many feline companions he cared for throughout his life.

Continuing his volunteer work, Joe became a docent at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia, upon it’s opening in 2006. There he greeted countless visitors, including fellow service men, veterans, and students and was very proud of this privilege. Joe’s final days were spent living in the southwest waterfront of D.C. where he enjoyed time with friends and feeding treats to furry fans in the neighborhood.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his sister, Dolores Thompson, and his four children: Diana Owen (husband Jeffrey), Bonnie Berchielli (husband John), Candace Sampere (husband Jerry), and Dawn Hackney (deceased, Robert Kamba); grandchildren Amanda Mountain, Angelina Friedrich, and Heather Rott; and eight great-grandchildren.

A visitation for Joe is planned for Thursday, February 11, 2021, from 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. at St. Ann Catholic Church on 4001 Yuma St, NW, Washington, D.C. A private service will be held following visitation. A burial service will be held at Quantico National Cemetery in late Spring and further details will be posted in March 2021.

Funeral arrangements are being coordinated by Joseph Gawler’s Sons at 5130 Wisconsin, Ave, NW, Washington, D.C.

In lieu of flowers, people wishing to honor Joe’s lifelong commitment to family and community can make donations to the causes he supported close to his heart: American Cancer Society, Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, and Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, UT.