SOUTHPORT — Joseph D. Standeven, 81, passed away at home Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017, surrounded by family.
He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Joanne; three sons, David (Diane), Paul (Janet) and Andy (Elizabeth) Standeven; daughter, Deborah (Edward) Lee; 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild; sister, Virginia Dolar of Novato, Calif.; and many nieces and nephews.
Joe was born in Philadelphia, Penn., son of Thomas and Pearl Standeven. He attended North Catholic High School and graduated from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia in 1956 with a degree in electronic physics. He began his career with IBM in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Joe later accepted a position at Philco Ford’s Communication and Electronics Division in Willow Grove, Penn., where he helped to design microelectronic chips for some of the earliest mainframe computers. Attending night school while working and raising a family, Joe earned a Master of Science in Engineering Degree at the University of Pennsylvania in 1965.
Joe’s career transitioned to international licensing and sales of Philco-branded large appliances, ultimately becoming president of Philco International. Joe would later accept additional responsibilities as president of WCI International, requiring his family to relocate to Pittsburgh, Penn., for the last 10 years of his career. Joe traveled extensively around the world for his career and was well loved and respected by his colleagues and clients alike for his ethics, honesty and good nature.
In 2001, Joe and Joanne retired to St. James Plantation in Southport, N.C., near the ocean, which they both loved. Joe was an avid golfer and Bridge player, and also enjoyed softball, body-surfing and fishing, He was a proud member of the Brunswick Civil War Roundtable, the Knights of Columbus, and parishioner at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, as well as a volunteer math tutor for middle school students in Brunswick County. Joe was devoted to his family; his church; his alma-mater, St. Joe’s; and numerous charities, including Native-American causes.
A funeral Mass and memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb 14, at at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Southport.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 955 Mercy Lane, Bolivia, NC 28422; or to the St. James Plantation EMS, 3628 St. James Drive, Southport, NC 28461.
Online condolences may be made at www.peacocknewnamwhite.com.