In Loving Memory of Joseph E. Blair, Jr.

Joseph E. Blair, Jr., business and civic leader, passed away peacefully on December 13th at the age of 94, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in 1931 and raised in the Baltimore area, Joe graduated from Loyola High School in 1949. Unable to afford college, he went straight to work, but a wise Jesuit priest intervened and insisted he enroll at Loyola College. The priest arranged a loan for the tuition on the condition that Joe maintain high grades and become a leader on campus.  When Joe graduated in 1953, the priest refused financial repayment and instructed Joe to "pay it forward" by doing things like this for others throughout his life.

Joe began his career with American Health and Life. He joined Baltimore Life in 1979, later becoming President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board until 2001, and retired from the board in 2003.

An established leader of the U.S. life insurance industry, Joe served on the Directors Council of the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI), chaired the board of the ACLI Forum 500, and in 1998 won the ACLI Distinguished Service Award.  In addition, he chaired several committees for the Life Insurance Marketing and Research Association, and he served on the boards of the Health Insurance Association of  America, the Insurance Marketplace Standards Association,  Medical Information Bureau, and the American Enterprise Group (now known as Wellabe).

Joe also served on or chaired many charitable and community boards, including the Board of Visitors of the University of Baltimore Educational Foundation and both the Board of Visitors and the Business Advisory Council of the Merrick School of Business of the University of Baltimore.  In addition, he served on the boards of the United Way of Central Maryland, Volunteer Central, the Arthritis Foundation Maryland Chapter, the Boy Scouts of America, and the Owings Mills Corporate Roundtable.  He also chaired committees for the Baltimore City School System. His numerous awards include the Elks Lodge's Stuart M. Macht Award, the Arthritis Foundation Maryland Chapter's Lifetime Achievement Award, and Loyola University's John Carroll Award.

The soulmate who supported Joe in all his endeavors was his loving wife of 70 years, Mary Christine (Tine) Hathaway, who predeceased him.  Predeceased by his son, Joseph III, and by his sister, Sister Joan Blair, SSJ, Joe is survived by his sister, Mary B. Kilner. His remaining children and their spouses also survive him - Michael and Edith Moore Blair, Barbara and Danny Eldridge, Mary Beth and David Padgett, and June Cormier Blair.  In addition to eight great-grandchildren, he leaves his 11 adored grandchildren and their spouses.

A passionate sailor, Joe was a member of Potapskut Sailing Association for 63 years, where he enjoyed many lifelong friendships and served as Commodore twice.  He was also a longtime member of the Country Club of Maryland.

Known for his intelligence, humility, and kindness, throughout his 94 years, Joe fulfilled that early promise he made to the priest – to repay his good fortune by doing for others.

Visitation will be held on Friday, December 19th, at Peaceful Alternatives Funeral Home, 2325 York Road, Timonium, MD, from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.

A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, December 20th at 9:45 a.m. at the Catholic Community of St. Francis Xavier Church, 13717 Cuba Road, Hunt Valley, MD. The interment will take place at St. Alphonsus Rodriquez Cemetery, 11100 Old Court Road, Woodstock, MD.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Joseph and Mary Blair '49 Endowed Scholarship Fund at Loyola Blakefield, 500 Chestnut Avenue, Towson, MD 21204.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.peacefulalternatives.com