Obituary of Joseph Albert Isaac

Joseph Albert Isaac 

May 15, 1934-March 1, 2023

Joe Isaac, son of Leo A and Alberta Isaac (Sherman), died March 1, 2023, with his family around him.  He leaves his loving wife of 62 years, Patricia Ann Van Wart; his daughters, Ann LaBara (Ernie) and Patty Wheeler; sons, Joe Isaac, Jr (Mary) and Brad Isaac (Taesin); and grandchildren, Joe Isaac, III, Nick Isaac (Holly), Hannah Smarr (Taylor), Sarah Isaac, Kaitlyn Schulte (Jarrad), Kelcy Mullaly, Alex Wheeler; step-grandchildren, Josh and Andi Carnahan and Anthony, Laurel, Danielle, and Lindsey LaBara.  Great-grandchildren Rebel Rose Isaac and Taylor Leo Smarr.  Joe was preceded in death by his daughter Julie Eileen, son-in-law Ryan Wheeler and great grandson, Ryett Ridge Isaac.

Joe grew up in Portland and attended The Madeleine Catholic Grade School.  He went onto Central Catholic High School and graduated in 1952.  In the fall of ‘52 he enrolled at Oregon State University for a year where he began studying Architecture.  He came back to Portland in 1953 and enrolled at the University of Portland.

At the end of his sophomore year of college, he qualified for pilot training in the Air Force and enlisted.  He was sent to Randolph AFB in Texas and began his training April 18, 1955. He left the Air Force Feb 4, 1957.  

During his childhood and young adult life he spent a lot of time with his father, Leo, in the woods and at Lincoln City.  He and his dad worked together to build the family beach cabin on Devils Lake.  There are so many fond memories with friends and family at the cabin, from searching for glass floats on the shore to spending hours on the water, skiing, inner tubing and fishing.    

Joe lived most of his adult life in Portland (a city he really loved) and worked for Northwest Natural Gas, Equipco and Lennox Industries specializing in HVAC systems. He was also a Building Inspector for the City of Portland specializing in Commercial Buildings.

After retirement, Joe and Pat became snowbirds and spent the winters in Sun City, Arizona eventually living there for over 20 years.  They loved the sun, golf, pool, and a multitude of friends and family.  While in Arizona, Joe took great pride in volunteering at the local hospital in Sun City, AZ where he accrued over 1,000 hours.  He also enjoyed planning the annual “Crab Feed” for the Oregon Social Club.  They moved back to Portland 5 years ago and in that time have enjoyed reconnecting with family and friends.

Funeral Services will be at 11:00am on April 22, 2023, at St. Francis Church in Sherwood, OR.  A memorial lunch will follow at the church.  

In lieu of flowers, please send a memorial donation to:

OHSU Foundation, PO Box 29017, Portland, OR 97201, On the memo line: Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Support, Joseph A. Isaac

Donate to the OHSU Foundation :  here you can leave a tribute letter and specify Progressive Supranuclear Palsy