Joseph Costello Hecht

Joseph Costello Hecht passed away on October 19, 2022 in Johnson City, Tennessee at the age of 93.

Joe was born in Bath, Maine. In his youth, he enjoyed skiing, playing hockey and hiking in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. After graduating from high school, he joined the Navy where he served during the Korean War.

He attended Virginia Tech and received a degree in Civil Engineering. Joe worked at Newport News Shipbuilding in the submarine testing group for 34 years. He lived in Hampton, VA and was a member of Chestnut Memorial United Methodist Church. He loved sailing and raced the Windmill and Albacore class boats. He was a member of the Hampton Yacht Club.

After retirement Joe and his wife Harriet moved to Lancaster County, VA and joined Emmanuel United Methodist Church where he was a lay leader and Sunday school teacher for many years.

Joe was a dedicated volunteer in Lancaster County. He was a Boy Scout leader, Fire Department member, ran the auction house at the church, and called Bingo for 14 years. He was a board member at the Morattico Waterfront Museum and a master gardener. Joe received the Trinity Unsung Hero Award in 2018 for his dedication to civic life in upper Lancaster County.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Phyllis Hecht; his wife, Harriet Hecht; an infant son, William; sister, Millicent Hair; stepmother, Kay Hecht; stepbrother, Kurt Hecht; and grandson, Matthew Hecht.

Joe is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Steve and Barbara Hecht, Mark and Bonnie Hecht, all of Jonesborough, TN; seven grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.

Joe’s ashes will be interred at Parklawn Memorial Park in Hampton, VA at a later date.