Joseph Mackey Obituary - Aberdeen, Washington
Former Vancouver resident Joseph James Mackey, 82 of Aberdeen passed away Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at Grays Harbor Community Hospital in Aberdeen, WA. Joe was born December 23, 1931 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Joseph and Martha Mackey. He was raised in Philly by his mother Martha and step-father Walter Travis. Joe attended John Bartram High School and during the summer months he would go with his mother to work at the famous Busch’s Restaurant in Sea Isle City, NJ. ; and also played semi - pro football in Cape May, NJ. Joe joined the Marine Crop in 1948 (age 17) without Grandma Martha’s approval.   She suggested (threatened) the Marine Corp had enlisted an underage person.  Dad was Honorably Discharged.  Once he turned 18 he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard and requested to be sent to Korea, instead was stationed in Ketchikan, Alaska; that is where he met and married his wife of 56 years Margaret “Peggy” Hendricks. Peggy passed away in 2008.  While in the Coast Guard Joe was also stationed in Juneau, Alaska, Hoquiam and Seattle before his final duty station in Vancouver, WA aboard the buoy tender the USCG Bluebell.  Joe played semi-pro basketball and was a gold medal champion on the all-star Coast Guard Pistol and Rifle team which went to the Nationals in Cape May, NJ. Following his retirement from the Coast Guard in 1969 Joe went to work for Loomis Armored Car Co. in Portland, Oregon where he worked as a courier (carried the loot) before retiring to Mesa, Arizona in 1990.  Joe and Peggy enjoyed retired life in AZ especially when their family and friends came to visit. Following Peggy’s death Joe went to live with his daughter Colleen and her family in Aberdeen, WA. Joe was a life member of the Mt. Hood Masonic Lodge, the Vancouver Elks, American Legion and 40 et 8.  He enjoyed golfing with his buddies in both Vancouver and Mesa. He loved watching game shows and sports on TV.  Joe is survived by his two sons, Joe (Roxy) and Mike, daughter Colleen (Nathan) Grant-Harrison, daughter-in-law Lynn Mackey.  His large blended family includes: 12 grandchildren Tammy (Michael) Eakin-Mackey, Joe (Crystal) Mackey, Lacey and Jesse Mackey, Bill Grant, Sheree Nading, Laree Nading, Josh Barnes,  Justin Abernathy, Robert Abernathy, Bryan Harrison and Angie Harrison, 11 great-grandchildren, Keta, Aliyah, Charlie, Joey, Lexee, Kolbee, Sofee, Logan, Lillee, Lucas, and Leena.  In addition to his wife Peggy, Joe was also preceded in death by his son Bill and beloved dog Louie. A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 2nd at Wynooche Cemetery in Montesano, WA where he will be laid to rest next to his wife Peggy. To sign the online book of memories or to light a memorial candle please visit www.harrisonfamilymortuary.com . Arrangements are by Harrison Family Mortuary of Aberdeen.
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