Joseph Horwath - Obituary

orn the 6th of 12 children to Frank and Mary (Mudra) Horwath, Joseph Henry Horwath passed away peacefully at the Fort Washington Rehab Center on January 7, 2015. He is survived by brothers John and Frankie, and sister Annie Davis. Joe graduated from Fort Hill HS, Cumberland, Maryland in 1942 and from the Army Air Corps flight school in 1943, first stationed in New Guinea; then to Clark Field, Philippines. He knew how to fly 6 different fighters but preferred the P51 Mustang. Said the Japanese left the Philippines cause they knew he was acoming..He left the military in late 1946. He married Dolores Atienza in 1946 and their 3 children were all born in the Philippines. Joe was hired by a shipping company in Okinawa, Japan where he and family lived for 10 years. In 1962, Joe signed on with the US Government providing movies to troops around the world. Subsequent assignments found Joe and family in San Francisco, Silver Spring, Germany, Greece, and finally, Hawaii. His job, which he loved, allowed him to visit over 40 different countries. Later in life, Joe referred to himself as The Polish Prince, even printed "million dollar" bills with his picture, to pass around to anyone and everyone. His terrific sense of humor (CDC "chrome dome club" and some quotes not printable) made many laugh (and some cry). He truly felt laughter was life's best medicine. He was a Good Man and loved everyone with his whole heart and soul; he felt a Guardian Angel was watching out for him. He will be greatly missed, his spirit will always be in our hearts. On Wednesday, January 7, 2015; the beloved husband of the late Dolores A. Horwath; father of Herman J. (Shirley) and Richard J. (Elizabeth) Horwath and Susan M. (Jeff) Bakke. He is also survived by nine grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Friends may call on Saturday, January 10, 2015 from 10:30 am until time of Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 am at St. Columba Catholic Church,7800 Livingston Rd, Oxon Hill MD. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the DAV, http://www.dav.org/ or The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, http://www.cff.org/. Interment private.