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MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly Pending
ALBERT ENZO JOY
No. 15943 * 12 Mar 1924 - 9 Apr 2001
Died in Alexandria, VA * Interred in Arlington National Cemetery,
Arlington, VA
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ALBERT E. JOY was born in Long Island, NY but
grew up in Teaneck, NJ. At Teaneck High School, he played football,
basketball and baseball and was selected to the All New Jersey
State Football Team. After graduating in 1942, Al attended the
New York Military Academy in preparation for West Point. He had
joined the Army in 1943 before his appointment came through for
West Point.
Cadet life presented no major problems for Al. He enjoyed playing
on the great Army football teams of that time and he was known
throughout the Corps for his jovial personality. At graduation,
Al pinned on the bars of a second lieutenant of Infantry.
Following graduation, Al went to Fort Benning, GA for the Infantry
Officer's Basic Officer's Course. His first assignment was to
Japan with the 25th Division. He returned to the States in 1949
assigned to Company C, 3d Infantry Regiment at Ft Myer, VA. It
was during this tour that he met his wife to be, Wanda Whitfield,
who was an analyst for Admiral Nimitz. Al left Ft Myer in late
1950 with orders to Korea where he earned the Bronze Star Medal
for Valor. Al returned to Fort Benning GA in 1951 to attend the
Infantry Officer's Advanced Course. It was during Christmas leave
in 1951 that Al and Wanda were married in the Post Chapel at
Fort Myer, VA on 22 December 1951.
Al's next post was to the University of Vermont where he was
Assistant PMS&T. From there the Joys traveled to Germany
where Al served in Operations, G-3, VII Corps in Stuttgart. Classmate
and friend Byron Greene tells of that assignment: "It was
there that Al made a profound impression on all with whom he
came in contact. Irrespective of his relatively junior rank,
he ran the G-3 Operations Office. This was during a very serious
cold war environment, particularly for the Combat Arms Units
in Germany. Al was the Operations Officer who inspected and evaluated
unit readiness. A very difficult task for a Captain dealing most
often with Major General Division Commanders. Yet, these senior
commanders invariably asked for Al to perform their inspections
and it was they who praised his work and ability."
Back to the States, Al was selected for C& GCS at Ft. Leavenworth,
KS and he remained assigned to the faculty after graduation.
It was there that Al suffered the near fatal ruptured aneurysm
that resulted in a permanent, incapacitating vision problem.
In 1966, Al earned his MBA from the Wharton School of Finance.
He later served in several capacities in the Office of the Deputy
Chief of Staff for Research and Development in the Pentagon.
Al retired in 1973 as a Colonel.
William S Lindung, close friend and associate, who gave the
eulogy at Al's funeral service, presented a synopsis of Al's
civilian career. Excerpts tell of this career: "On July
9th, 1973, Al accepted employment with the Washington Suburban
Sanitary Commission (WSSC) as a Long Range Planner. I was the
Commission's Personnel Director and from the first warm and firm
handshake of welcome, I could sense that this new employee was
going to be an asset, a 'real winner' and a new friend. In 1976.
Al was promoted to Budget Director and Financial Planning Director.
Al was a keystone in structuring a solid fiscal policy for the
WSSC. Over the years, Al Joy became a veritable 'institution'
at WSSC. He had a distinct facility for putting people at their
ease. He established a rapport with people in all their wonderfully
wild variety. He brought intelligence and integrity to his job
and maintained an enviable and disciplined work ethic. His love
of people and life was effusive. To all, he was an accomplished
and affable gentleman. Al retired from the WSSC in February 1991."
Al Joy died on 9 April 2001 of complications from an injury
suffered in a fall at his home. Survivors include: his wife,
Wanda; daughter, Jennifer; sister, Diana and brother, William.
Al Joy is remembered by his family and friends as a vibrant,
dedicated and enthusiastic man who made lasting impressions of
his greatness on everyone with whom he came in contact.
Friend and classmate, Jack Hoefling, recalled: "I will
always remember Al as a dedicated officer who you could always
count on and at the same time he was fun to be with. What more
could you want?"
Byron Greene remembered: "It is fitting that Al should
be given full military honors by the 3d Infantry Regiment at
Arlington Cemetery, where we served in together in 1949. As always,
it was beautifully sad. I look back at our many tours together,
and our long standing friendship with much nostalgia, but it
serves as a way for me to grieve for Al and to pay him the respect
he so richly earned in our friendship."
William Lindung, in his eulogy, said: "So many of us remember
Al's enthusiasm and so many of us enjoyed his vital presence
- now it is left for us to mourn his absence. Lives lived, illuminated
by God's grace and radiant with love and care for others are
always effective and successful. Such a life is worth celebrating.
We will often reminisce about this magnanimous person who touch
our lives and, no doubt, we will still be fondly referring to
this unique personality as 'Big Al.'"
To these words of love and praise, the Class of 1946 proudly
adds: "Well Done, Al; Be Thou At Peace!"
'46 Memorial Article Project and his wife, Wanda.
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