Babis, Joseph E

 

Joe was preceded in death by his dearest friend and lover Cleta Mae (Watson) Callahan October 28, 2008, age 78. Dear step-father of, Terri Huff, Lisa (Ron) Cornetet, Lance Haggard and Heather (Agnes) Callahan and dear father of Joseph Vincent (Beverly), Cathy, William (Lee Anne), John (Kathy), Tom, Diane (Mark) Fricker, and Tim (Nicole). From his blended family of eleven children, dear grandfather of twenty-one and great-grandfather of three. Dear brother of Bernice Bacon, Bill, Bob, Frank and Martha (Gaydowski) Bedal. Joe was many things to many people. His grandchildren fondly remember "junking" with him. He would pile the kids into his Cadillac and take them shopping at Goodwill. He would give each kid twenty dollars to spend as their hearts desired. These memories are dear to each and every child. After graduating in 1948 from Saint Francis De Sales High School, Utica, NY, Joe began his avionics career by joining the United States Navy and completing the Class A Aircraft Electronics School at Memphis, TN. While on active duty during the Korean War (1948-1952), Joe served as an Aviation Electronics Technician while based at London, England; French Morocco; Key West, Florida and NAS Oceana, Virginia. During that time, he flew as aircrew, installed and maintained navigation and communications equipment on various Navy aircraft, which included the F4U Corsair. Following his Navy tour, Joe ventured to California to attend college and continue his career in electronics working at Long Beach Naval Shipyard. He later worked for Air Oasis in Long Beach where he set up and managed their avionics shop. In 1957 Joe accepted an offer from Jerry Swart at Cincinnati Aircraft to set up and manage an avionics shop at Lunken Airport in Cincinnati, Ohio. Five years later, in 1962, he established his own business, Avionics, Inc. and remained a lifetime pilot and advocate of aviation. He was awarded the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) for Avionics Technician of the Year in 2005. In July, 2007 he sold Avionics, Inc and continued to be involved in the aviation business. Throughout Joe's life he generously supported the Shriners. It would please him if in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Shriners. Checks should be made out to Shriners Hospital for Children at 3229 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229 or credit card donations called to Trish Planck at 513-872-6118. Visitation at Cunningham Funeral Home, 7312 Beechmont (Anderson Twp), Friday 5-9PM Graveside service Saturday 1PM at Valley Oak Cemetery, Argyle, KY.