Joseph T. Muffler, 84, of Philadelphia died July 15, 2016 after a courageous battle with cancer. Joe, as he was known by all, was a graduate of Northeast Catholic High School (1949) and Villanova University (1958). Initially, he left college in 1951 during the Korean War to enlist in the United States Marine Corps, where he rose to the rank of Sergeant. He subsequently served with the United States Army Vietnam in a civilian capacity for four years during periods from January 1967 until the evacuation of the U.S. mission from Saigon in April 1975. He was the recipient of numerous awards and decorations for his service. Employed within the Defense Department for 40 years in a variety of assignments in the United States and overseas including: U.S. Army Frankford Arsenal, U.S. Army Vietnam, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Defense Attache acute; Vietnam and the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. He also taught in the Management School, Evening Division, at La Salle University. A dedicated family man to his large immediate family, he was known to be benevolent, non-judgmental, stoic, a man of faith and integrity, and always with a quick sense of humor. A wonderful father, he was also a surrogate father to his grandchildren and great grandchildren. His great expressions such as "Happy days are here again", and "Smile at the sunrise" often were well-timed and placed at the end of letters as a comforting gesture. Growing up, his children often heard him hum aloud, "C'est la bonne vie" or "It's the good life."

Active in community affairs for a number of years as a member of Operation Town Watch, he was named Town Watch Person of the Year by the Philadelphia Police Department in 1999. He was a member of the Second Marine Division Association; Veteran of Foreign Wars, Post 9198; American Legion, Post 6133; Our Lady of Lourdes Council, Knights of Columbus and the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. But it was his time in Vietnam as a Defense Attaché, at the height of war that would personify Joe's character, selfless love and devotion to his fellow man. On 30 April 1975 Saigon fell to the North Vietnamese. In an effort to save as many Vietnamese as he could in those final days, Joseph embarked on a rescue mission to help evacuate those he knew and those he never met, as they faced certain punishment, or worse, for supporting the U.S. mission and war effort. Joe's actions, and that of other U.S. civilians and military, were nothing short of heroic. Today, numerous Vietnamese families call America home due to his valiant actions, even taking his name when they were sworn in as American citizens, another family naming their son after him. Truly an example for his family to emulate, even his last spoken words, still in a mentoring mode on his deathbed, were, "always do the right thing." Predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Helen, wife, Elizabeth, grandson Thomas, he is survived by his 6 children, Maryann Murray (Bernard), Joseph Muffler (Kim), Susan Guenther (Bill), Thomas Muffler, Patricia Bonaccorsi (Michael), and John Muffler (Holli), , as well as 14 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing Wednesday 9 AM, St. Jerome Church, Stamford and Colfax Sts. Philadelphia, followed by his Funeral Mass 11 AM. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, contributions to Special Olympics, 2900 Southampton Rd. Phila, PA 19154, Gift of Life Donor Program, 401 N. 3rd St. Phila, PA 19123 or Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675, in his memory would be appreciated.