Joseph L. Powell, Sr.

A fiercely independent thinker and pioneer years ahead of his time, Joseph L Powell Sr. passed away November 16, 2020 at the age of 91.  He is the husband of the late Mary (nee Lyons), beloved father of Mary Swetkoff (Walt), Joseph, Jr (Debbie), Bill (Tammy), and Kathy Everly (Dennis).   He is survived by nine grandchildren:   Erin Hatter (Tad),  Maribeth Kramer (Jeff), Erik Swetkoff (Tank), Joseph Powell III (Jillian), Christopher Powell (Julie),  Jennifer Fuhrmeister (Paul),  Amanda Forsyth (Brad), Dennis Everly (Amanda), Ryan Everly (Sandy) as well as twelve great-grandchildren:   Jovian, Kainen, Natalie, Eveanna, Kayleigh, Madelyn, Emma, Joseph IV, Ryan, Daniel, Riley & Logan.   He is also survived by his brother Edmund Powell of Jacksonville, FL and preceded in death by brothers Leo, Robert and sister Margaret (Peggy) Powell.

He served his country as a US Marine and worked as a financial systems analyst for the City of Philadelphia, improving city systems such as singlehandedly shifting the jury pay system from waiting for a month for payment to same day.  He also supervised Philadelphia's 200th national celebration of the US Constitution in 1987 which brought Walter Cronkite to town as host.

Joe was a registered independent who fiercely fought (and sometimes won) over the political system in his day.  He was the president of the Northeast Fairways Civic Association and was a thorn in the side for local and city politicians regardless of party.  He rallied residents to protest questionable land deals and issues which negatively affected their neighborhoods.  He didn't always win (Matt Slap), but the list of business which changed their mindset was impressive.  His vision was years ahead of his time: in the sixties, he was writing to the national press and Congress to enact mandatory seat belt laws as his statistics proved there were more deaths on America's highways than the total years of Vietnam.  America caught up to him and instituted national seatbelt laws in the 1990s . He wrote to Philadelphia mayors and the Board of Assessments to have the actual valuation of property for taxes as the city policy was to assess approximately a third of value so citizens thought they were getting a deal when it came time to pay their taxes.  The city came around to his way of thinking in 2013. He was so passionate about banning partial birth abortion that he erected a large 25 foot sign on his property criticizing President Clinton when he vetoed Congress's decision to create a constitutional amendment outlawing the procedure in 1996, and only removed the sign when the city threatened to penalize him a thousand dollars a day if he did not.  He has suggested open primary (spring) elections so independent voters can participate and select a candidate on any ticket --  the jury is still out on that one.     He corresponded with local politicians, Senators, Congressmen & Church officials in the day when it meant actually writing letters and mailing them on your own dime.

Joe was born in Moosic, PA, a small town between Scranton & Wilkes-Barre, literally walked barefoot to school and collected coal falling off supply trains to help his family.  He left home when his mother passed from breast cancer when he was 16, joined the Marine Corp, and met Mary, the love of his life and oldest of 8 children at a USO dance in Philadelphia.  They married and lived close to Mary's family to help raise her younger siblings as well as start their own family.  Joe also started his formal education going to night school while working full time as an accountant, and eventually earned a master's degree in finance from Temple University.    Along the way he worked for companies such as Nannette & Philadelphia Carpet Company.    He convinced the carpet company it was strategically better to move to Georgia even though he and Mary would be remaining with family in Philadelphia.  When that move occurred,  Joe started his own family business:  Powell Industries, providing personal (and police) size tear gas sprays ("Jet Commando") selling directly to companies such as Sears and also to police departments across America.  He received many personal letters from users of his product thanking him for keeping them safe and creating this precursor of Mace.  Joe discontinued this business when national firms took over the market and joined the city of Philadelphia as a financial analyst.

A natural doer, he took the time to create his own recreational outdoor game ("Rebound"), and built several units placing them at sites like Mt. Airy Lodge (Poconos) and DuPont CC.   He was a parishioner at St. Katherine of Siena parish where his wife also served as soloist.  He was an avid swimmer, lapping at least 1/2 mile several times a week after he retired, and also enjoyed bowling, lawn bowling, and golf, winning several medals in Philadelphia Senior Games competitions.  He held international patents in business stationery design.

In his final years, he moved to Ambler Extended Care where he became affectionately known as "The Governor", ever ready to take over their business office while he continued his writing process and idea generation online.

He will be greatly missed and the world will be a lonelier place without him.

NOTE:   Due to the Covid crisis, services and internment will be private; an Irish wake will be held at a later date. Sign the guest registry and add your e-mail on this page if you'd like an invite.

In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Katherine of Siena Church Music Fund, 9700 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19114 or the USO, P.O Box 96869, Washington, DC 20077 in Joe's memory would be appreciated.