Joseph Francis "Joe" Markey, 90, of Sandy Hook, died peacefully July 19. Born August 14, 1927, in Teaneck, N.J., he attended Teaneck High School and spent two years in the US Navy during World War II.

Mr Markey was active in the parish at St Rose of Lima, where he served as a lector at Mass and as an apostolic minister for many years. He prepared students for confirmation as an instructor in religious education. He was also a member of the parish counsel and led the daily rosary group for years.

He was married to Gloria Zenorini, of Teaneck, N.J., for more than 65 years. His children, Peter Markey of Newtown; Stephen Markey of Danbury; Marilyn Markey of Newton, Mass.; Celia Markey Chadwick of Arlington, Mass.; Regina Markey, Esq, of Washington, DC; Paul Markey of New York, N.Y.; Joseph Markey of White Plains, N.Y.; Kevin Markey of Charlotte, N.C.; Douglas Markey of Western Springs, Ill.; Laura Monroe of Charlottesville, Va.; and Rev Greg Markey of Shelton survive him. He was always very proud of his 11 children and the vocations they chose. He is also survived by 18 grandchildren, Tess, Cole, Marguerite, Grace, Jackson, Jonathan, Elizabeth, Ross, Abigail, Patrick, Alison, Thomas, Sean, Ryan, Greta, Eric, Henry, and Turner.

Mr Markey received a degree in chemical engineering from Bucknell University through the GI Bill. He also received a certification in accounting and industrial psychology from the Stephens Institute of Technology. He was employed at Merck & Co, General Precision, and Curtis Wright; he spent the last 25 years of his professional life at Perkin-Elmer. This included work on Skylab, the Hubble Telescope, and the Micralign Alignment System.

After retirement, Mr Markey volunteered at the Dorothy Day Homeless Center in Danbury and taught English as a Second Language to new immigrants. He self-published an autobiography and a book of "Joe's Musings." His hobby for many years was wood sculpting.

A Funeral Mass took place July 23 at St Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church, Newtown. Interment followed at St Rose of Lima Cemetery, Newtown.