Joseph E. Britt, Jr. passed from this life on September 6, 2017 in Marietta, GA at the age of 89.  Raised in Sea Cliff, NY, in his youth he was an American soldier whose service took him to Japan during the Occupation. He returned to marry and raise four children in East Northport, NY in a house full of beach sand, musical instruments and an unusual number of dogs, cats, and other pets: a good house in which to grow up. His children remember cramming into the yellow Mercury Villager for summer vacations in New England and beyond; an old reel-to-reel tape recorder he used to record his youngest daughter singing Edelweiss; his vast vocabulary of words, every one of which he was somehow able to spell correctly; and his intense, nearly silent laugh and love for comedy old and new.

 After his retirement from a career in higher education support and workforce development, Joe began painting people and scenes from his life – portraits, animals, special places, illustration’s of a young niece’s stories.  His art and willingness to share it inspired first his family, and in his last years, his caregivers as well.  Those among us who inherited some of his skill will use art to support people and organizations working to bring more compassion, justice, healing and beauty to our world.

 Joe ran his race and now rests, as we all must.  A man of decency and hidden talents, he is remembered now with affection and respect.  Joe is survived by his wife Joan, of Kennesaw, GA, four children (Joseph of Sun Prairie, WI; Susan of North Yarmouth, ME; Alison Kaczmarek of East Greenwich, RI; and Timothy of Roswell, GA), and five grandchildren.  His family requests donations in lieu of flowers be sent to America’s VetDogs, 371 East Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown, NY 11787-2976 (vetdogs.org).  Condolences can be left for the family at www.GeorgiaFuneralCare.com