Joseph Edward McIlhenny Jr, resident of Ocean City, NJ and formerly of Elkins Park, PA, passed away on February 16, 2021 at the age of 83. Joe was born on August 10, 1937 in Philadelphia, the son of Joseph Edward Sr and Anna (Dooney) McIlhenny. He graduated from Northeast Catholic High School for Boys Class of 1955; “Double Nickels” as he so fondly called it. He went on to serve his country in the United States Air Force having traveled Europe for several years. After his return to the area, he and his wife Janet settled in Elkins Park, PA until his retirement from sales at J.H. McCoullough Distributing to Ocean City in 2002.
In addition to being a lifelong Eagles fan, he was a lifetime devoted member of the Knights of Columbus having served as Grand Knight for the Ocean City Council 2560 in his later years. He excelled in the art of retirement “six Saturdays and a Sunday”. He loved a beer(s) with family and friends, riding his bike daily, chatting on a boardwalk bench with his buddies, and attending mass. Joe was a character and master storyteller. His arsenal of jokes was legendary, and he never failed to make people laugh. He retained his childhood friends through his whole life and they not only gave him great joy but served as an endless source of material. Did we mention he loved a beer? Quite simply, the world lost an American Classic. If you’re reading this, you are smiling. He was a great artist of nicknames. We’ll miss you Jaybird.
Surviving Joe is his wife of 54 years, Janet, and his daughter Jeanne (Andy Roper) of Horsham, PA and his son Patrick (Melissa) of Blue Bell, PA and three granddaughters, Charlotte, Claire, and Reese, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Preceding him death are his parents and his brother Jimmy. A mass in his memory will be offered at a future date.