Sept. 12, 2024

passed from this life knowing that his family loved him fiercely. He died unexpectedly on Sept. 12, 2024, at the age of 88 in his home in Boerne, Texas.

He was preceded in death by the love of his life, JoAnn, who passed in February 2023. They would have been married 64 years. Joseph was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, son and brother.

Joe was born in Hazelton, Pennsylvania, to Anna and Joseph Begia. He lived in Hazelton through high school graduation, after which he joined the U.S. Army.

Back home as a kid, Joseph’s life-long obsession with trains began. He loved to ride his bike to the train yards whenever he had the opportunity to watch the trains come and go.

His military career was long and decorated. He was a recipient of the Bronze Star as well as several good conduct medals.

He started his military career as an MP, where he had many interesting experiences. He loved to tell the story of guarding Elvis Presley when Elvis joined the Army and was even able to have a nice conversation with him in the barracks.

Another experience that he felt honored to be a part of was escorting the “Little Rock Nine” as they entered Central High School, being the first children to enroll in the newly integrated school. Guarding these kids from the angry mob was a job he took very seriously; he was appalled at the unkindness of people toward them.

When working as an Army recruiter in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, Joe stopped by a local diner for lunch where a special woman caught his eye. He was determined this beautiful girl that made him the “best meatball sandwich in the world” would become his wife. Joe was smitten with JoAnn and they would be married later that year.

His military career then took him overseas many times, with Germany being the first assignment. Joe and JoAnn welcomed their first child, Lawrence, into their family while stationed in Germany.

Later in his military service, Joe began managing non-commissioned officers’ clubs in many different places. He was an efficiency expert, so the Army would send Joe all over the world to “clean things up,” and he was always able to make these clubs profitable.

Postings included Korea, Vietnam, Panama and many places in the U.S. He was last stationed at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, in 1973 where he ran the NCO clubs there. This is when Joe and JoAnn decided to settle in Boerne. Joe eventually retired in 1976 as a master sergeant E-8 at Fort Sam Houston. By this time the family had been blessed with two more children, Bruce and Diane, while living in El Paso.

After retiring from the Army, Joe continued working in the restaurant business, managing country clubs, The Junior League’s Bright Shawl and “The Texan Dining Train,” his lifelong love of trains leading him to this dream job. This excursion dining train based in San Antonio was literally his favorite job ever.

In addition to his love of trains was his love of music. Elvis Presley and Lawrence Welk were among his favorites and he and JoAnn had their “date night” on Saturday evenings watching The Lawrence Welk Show.

Sunday mornings were reserved for polkas. If you ever pitched up at the Begia house on Sunday morning, there was bound to be the joyful sounds of polka music playing from the record player.

Joe was the most optimistic and grateful person one could ever know. His work ethic, which he instilled in his children, was unmatched. He loved and was so grateful for his three children, Lawrence, Bruce and Diane, who survive him, as well as his six beautiful grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Joe adored his little sister, Gertrude, who still lives in Hazelton today. His wife of 64 years, JoAnn, his brother Charles and his parents Anna and Joseph precede him in death. He is and will forever be missed by those who knew and loved him.

A graveside service was held Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, at the Boerne City Cemetery.

To leave condolences for the family, please visit www. ebensberger-fisher.com. Arrangements entrusted to Ebensberger Fisher Funeral Home of Boerne.