Joseph (Joe) Schiesl, age 81, passed away on April 16, 2019 at Fair Oaks Hospital after a brief illness.
Joe will be lovingly remembered by his wife Karen Faust; his sons Tim (Janet), Kevin (Leslie), and Brian (Diane); his stepchildren Jason Faust (Jennifer), Lauren Faust (Craig McCracken), Ryan Faust, and Greg McCracken (Lauren); his grandchildren Joe, Michael, Ben, Emily, Adam and Jack; his step grandchildren Daphne, Owen, Alex, Quinn and Jonathan; his brothers Donald (Dee) and Richard (Nancy) as well as nieces, a nephew and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his wife RoseMarie (Roe), and his brother Robert.
Joe was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey to the late Joseph A. and Livia Schiesl. He attended St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark, New Jersey. Joe did his undergraduate work in Mechanical Engineering at Newark College of Engineering (now NJIT) and then went on to do graduate work in Meteorology at New York University. He then became an Aviation Weather Officer in the Air Force Strategic Air Command, where he earned commendations for his work.
Joe joined the National Weather Service, a part of NOAA, in 1962 at Dulles International Airport. Initially, he worked on procedures and materials necessary for the opening of the airport later that year. He proudly touted that he was the “First Meteorologist at Dulles”. Joe transferred to NWS Headquarters in Silver Spring as a hydrologist in 1968 and worked there until his retirement in 1998.
In his younger years raising his children, Joe was very active coaching youth football, basketball and baseball in the Fairfax area. He taught Religious Education as an advanced catechist for 31 years at Holy Spirit Church in Annandale.
After retiring, he worked as a consultant and enjoyed writing papers for the Alpha Literary and Philosophical Society. He served as President and President Emeritus of his community association since its inception in 2004. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus at All Saints Church. His favorite pastime was spending time with his many friends and his family. He found great joy in time with his grandchildren in the Fairfax area and in Southern California.
Joe was a devout Catholic, a very outgoing, deeply caring and loving man who will be greatly missed by many.
The family will receive visitors on Thursday, April 25, 2019 from 6:00 -8:00 p.m. at the Baker-Post Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 10001 Nokesville Road, Manassas, Virginia. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, April 26, 2019, 10:00 a.m. at All Saints Catholic Church, 9300 Stonewall Road, Manassas, Virginia.
Interment will immediately follow at Fairfax Memorial Park, 4401 Burke Station Road, Fairfax, Virginia.
Memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Charities or Catholic Relief Services.
Please sign the guestbook at www.bakerpostfh.com