Joseph J. (Ret.) Col. Pessa

Evans, GA – Col. Joseph J. Pessa, 95, entered into rest on Friday, January 6, 2012 at Brandon Wilde.

Joseph was born in Philadelphia, PA, where he graduated from Central High School. He received both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Joseph served 29 active years in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (1938-1967). He was a distinguished bridge builder of the 1108th Engineer Combat Group, 48th Battalion. He built the first bridge over the Danube River in Germany, a bridge at Cassino, Italy, and numerous bridges under enemy fire in Europe and North Africa during WWII (1943-1945). Joseph participated in the liberation of Dachau Concentration Camp, Germany and built record breaking numbers of bridges under enemy fire in Korea (1950-1951). He was awarded numerous decorations for his war time service in Europe, North Africa, and Korea. Joseph served in the Georgia Military District and gave lectures at Georgia Institute of Technology (1951-1954). He served at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Headquarters at Ft. Belvoir, VA and at the Pentagon (1957-1967) on active military duty and in a civilian capacity (1967-1982). His overseas peace keeping assignments include Japan (1949-1950) and Indonesia (1961-1963), where he assisted the Embassy and mapped out a highway system in Sumatra. Special projects included technical advisor to The White House, U.S. Congress, Department of State, Department of Defense, NATO, and NASA (1957-1982). He was a member of the U.S. Army Engineer OCS Hall of Fame and the Military Officers’ Association of America (MOAA). Joseph moved to Brandon Wilde in Evans, GA in 1998. He was an active volunteer in the community and at church.

Joseph was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Essie Allred Pessa. Survivors include his wife Kathryne Lee Pessa of Evans, GA, one son, Joseph J. Pessa, Jr. and his partner Neil Lang of Oakland, CA, two daughters, Mary Anne Pesa of Augusta, GA, Joanna Pessa of New York, NY, one brother, Peter Pessa of Philadelphia, PA, two sisters, Anne Ollek of Mt. Ephraim, NJ, Rosalie Barychewsky of Whiting, NJ, one grandson, Adrien Pesa of Honolulu, HI, one step son, Randall B. Lee of Lakewood, CO, two step daughters, Carol Webb and husband Arthur of Tucker, GA, Coral Bryant and husband William of Pelham, AL, six step grandchildren, four step great grandchildren, and many relatives and friends.

Interment will take place at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA.

If so desired, memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.