Joseph R. Blais, Jr., A.I.A. (Joe) was born on November 1, 1928 in Lake Butler, Florida and passed away peacefully at home on May 31, 2022, at 93 years of age. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Kathleen (Kathy); son Joseph III; daughters Julie (Jeff) Hite, Lisa (Pat) Thurman, Marianne (Marty) Dineen, and Theresa (Dan) Molthen; 16 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. The youngest of five children, he was predeceased in death by his parents, Joe and Marie Blais, one sister, Jean Brachold, three brothers, Dollard, Mike, and Bernie, and one granddaughter, Jillian Blais. When he was two years old, his family moved to Daytona Beach.

Following his graduation from Seabreeze High School, he attended the University of Florida in the College of Architecture until 1951. Although this was a five year program, he enlisted in the Navy before graduating and served as a sonarman, assigned to the USS Hanson, DDR 832, a radar picket destroyer in the Korean War.

At the conclusion of the war, having served for four years, he returned to the University of Florida to complete his studies. This is where he met his future wife, Kathleen, on a blind date, who was in her senior year. Had he not served his country, they might never have met!

To his friends and business associates, he was best known for his integrity, skill, and professionalism. He was an active member of Prince of Peace Church, which was one of countless churches he designed in the region. He was also well known for his other architectural projects, including hospitals, schools, colleges, libraries, auditoriums, business and professional office complexes, single and multi-family housing facilities and others types of structures. Facilities you may recognize are Grace Lutheran Church, Silver Sands Middle School, many buildings on the Daytona State College campus, Sweetwater Elementary School, and the Bethune Cookman College infirmary. He served on many local boards and commissions as well as becoming President of the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects (1982) and President of the Rotary Club of Daytona Beach (1989-1990). Over the years, he was recognized with many awards and commendations, as well as becoming a Paul Harris Fellow (Rotary Foundation of Rotary International) and a Member Emeritas of the American Institute of Architects. He was always looking for ways to serve in the community, including being a church lay reader at St. Paul's Basilica, 10 years on the Board of Adjustment and Zoning Appeals for the City of Daytona Beach, 15 years as a member of the Architectural / Mechanical Advisory Committee of Daytona Beach Community College and a member of the Keystone Club of the Ormond Beach Community Hospital.

Following an accident in 2002, he became legally blind, changing his life drastically, as he could no longer drive, read, or go fishing, (which was his lifelong favorite pastime). Prior to this, he had opened his own architectural firm, (Blais, Sayers, & Hawkins, now Hall and Ogle Architects). His blindness led to his retirement and he became more active in Church activities, including starting a garden club and becoming involved in the first CRHP (Christ Renews His Parish) retreat. He loved the spiritual nourishment and deeper friendships from these retreats.

Joe has left quite a legacy. His creativity and attention to detail were evident in every project he designed. His buildings have truly changed the landscape of our region, and will undoubtedly outlast us all.

But his greatest legacy would be his love and faithfulness for his family. From him, we've learned principles and life lessons that we're endeavoring to pass on…

- His love and respect for his wife was a visible example of Christ's love for the Church. (Eph. 5:25: "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her…")

- He lived out Col. 3:17 in his work ethic: "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

- His deep love, shown in big and small ways, always unconditional, was a beautiful example of how much our heavenly Father loves us, and made it easy for us to relate to Him as Father.

Thank you, Dad. We love you.

A service of celebration and thanksgiving for his life will be held at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 600 S. Nova Rd., Ormond Beach, FL on Wednesday, June 8, 2022. Visitation will be in the Chapel at 3:00pm, Mass at 4:00pm, followed by a reception in the Parish hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Prince of Peace Catholic Church or the Tunnel to Towers Foundation (T2T.org). There will be a private interment at a later date.