Joseph Francis Seeley
Personal
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: January 1, 1948
Date of Death: January 18, 2020
Birth Place: Newark, NJ
Death Place: Pearl River, LA
Joseph Francis Seeley
(1948 – 2020)
Joseph Francis Seeley of Pearl River, Louisiana unexpectedly made the transition to be with the Lord on Saturday, January 18, 2020 at the age of 72. He is survived by his wife, Peggy Hover Seeley; his children, Christopher Seeley (Barbara), Matthew Seeley (Michele), Monica Seeley Williamson (Jason), Colleen Seeley, Stacy Pollard Lawson, and James Kenneth Pollard Jr.; sixteen grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; a brother, Peter Seeley (Lora), and a sister, Kathy Chicoine (David). Joseph Francis Seeley was born on January 1, 1948 in Newark, New Jersey to John Burton Seeley and Margaret Lois Ackerman Seeley. He graduated from White Plains High School in New York. Joseph enjoyed the outdoors, overcoming challenges and being a leader, which led to him working his way to become an Eagle Scout through the Boy Scouts of America. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Russian History from the University of Maryland and Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Physics from the State University of New York. In 1966, Joseph joined the United States Navy. He was a cryptologic specialist, working with the National Security Agency in the United States, and serving his country six years in Europe. While serving, Joseph married his first wife, Linda Benziger, on May 30, 1969. He continued his service aboard a ship providing a United States Navy presence in the Red Sea following North Yemen’s attack on Yemen in 1978 and earned the Navy Expeditionary Medal among other awards. After returning to the United States, he began recruitment in New York and Florida. He taught cryptographic electronics at Pensacola Naval Station and was company commander. After 21 years of active service, Joseph retired as a Chief Petty Officer of the United States Navy. Following Chief Petty Officer Seeley’s retirement, he became the Naval JROTC instructor at Pearl River High School in Louisiana. While teaching, Joseph met his soulmate, Peggy Hover Pollard, and married on April 7, 1990. Joseph and Peggy were the epitome of marriage. Together, they were very active in the community. His involvement in our community included: Pearl River Centennial Board in 2006 (Celebrating Pearl River 1906-2006), American Red Cross (serving over 20 years and managed the American Red Cross shelter at Creekside Junior High during Hurricane Katrina), Parent Teacher Association and Parent Teacher Student Association volunteer for over 12 years and was a local president, and held district and state offices. He was awarded the Louisiana PTA Life Service Award and was honored for his volunteer service from the Slidell Women’s Republican Club. Joseph received recognition and awards for his outstanding leadership and service but also helped individuals, organizations, and businesses behind the scenes. Chief Petty Officer Seeley joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5174 in 2003 and later became the Post Commander, Junior Vice-Commander of District 9, Senior Vice-Commander of District 9, and Commander of District 9 for two terms serving St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington Parishes. He became a life member of the VFW and continued to work with other veterans to provide service for less fortunate veterans in our community. Chief Seeley earned and received the honor of “Veteran of the Year” from Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5174 in 2015. W. L. “Trey” Folse III, Superintendent of St. Tammany Parish Public School System, honored Joseph with the “Superintendent’s Be Inspired Recognition” in honor of his service as a member of the United States Navy and being named VFW Post 5174 Veteran of the Year. Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States recognized Joseph with a certificate of appreciation in 2020 as a Patriots Circle member for faithful support of VFW’s National Veterans Service program. Patriotic Americans, like Joseph, ensures that our nation remains “The Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave” for generations to come. Joseph will be remembered as a true patriot with a kind, generous, and loving spirit. Family was his priority. His wish on his 72nd birthday, before blowing out the candles one last time, was “I will make a wish that family will always be family, that we will always help each other the best we can, and that God protect us and let us grow as ancient as we can…” Family and friends are welcome to honor and reflect on Joseph Francis Seeley’s life. Visitation will be held at Audubon Funeral Home located at 61101 Highway 11 in Slidell, Louisiana on Tuesday, January 28, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Wednesday, January 29, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. A Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at noon in the chapel of Audubon Funeral Home followed by a graveside service with Military Honors and burial at 1:30 p.m. at the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery located at 34888 Grantham College Drive in Slidell, Louisiana. A Celebration of Life gathering will be held following the burial at Bien-Venue located at 64245 Highway 3081 in Pearl River, Louisiana 70452.
Published in The Times-Picayune on January 26, 2020
[Great-great-great-grandson of SGS # 3246 – Joseph Francis; John Burton; Lawrence Arila; Frank Airilla; James Porteous; Beach Peters (# 3246); Linus (# 1428) ; Seth; Obadiah; Obadiah; Obadiah; Obadiah]
