Norfolk —A guardian angel must have accompanied Joe Collector during his numerous bombing missions over Nazi Germany, while stationed in England during World War ll. A belly gunner, his B-17 Fly Fortress was shot down twice over the English Channel requiring him to parachute to safety. During his active duty in the Army Air Force, Joe received the Distinguished Flying Cross and a Purple Heart for injury in battle.
Joseph M. Collector passed away peacefully at DePaul Hospital on Sunday, April 23, 2017 following an illness.
After WW II, Collector married Evelyn Axelrod and left his father’s business to start his own as a general contractor. He spent several years teaching construction techniques at Old Dominion College later in his career, and also, for a time volunteered at the Hermitage Museum. Voted Man of the Year at Beth El Temple, he was preceded in death by his wife, Harriet.
Joe is survived by his three sons, Robert (of Montecito, Calif.), Stephen and his wife, Leigh, (of Boulder, Col.) and Joseph Jr. (Skip of Redondo Beach, Calif.) along with his eight grandchildren, and one great-grandson.
A graveside funeral service was held in Forest Lawn Cemetery with Rabbi Jeffrey Arnowitz officiating. H. D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Norfolk Chapel. Online condolences may be offered to the family through www.hdoliver.com.