Our dear family friend Joseph Rigney passed away the other night. Joe was a Marine in WW2 in the South Pacific. He stormed Iwo and Tarawa and had a glorious career. Joe was 6'-6" in socks and was selected for guard duty in Washington after the war because of his stature. He was also asked to be a model for the Iwo Jima Sculpture depicting the famous photo of the Flag being rasied on Mt. Suribachi. The artist needed a full 180 degree model to get the whole image and Joe agreed, saying it was the most difficult assignment he ever agreed to.
Joe became our friend when my Dad was on the school board. He was the finance director for my High School, Fallbrook Union. Joe is on my list of the five guys I would never want to cross. He was always quick to smile and always allowed me the innocence of youth, but wouldn't let me get away with anything foolish. He once gave me a beautiful persimmon driver and said, "Maybe you can get a straight shot with this thing, I never could". I never did either.
Joe is survived by his wonderful wife Audrey, daughter Lorna, and sons Farrell and Eddy and their spouses and children.
Men like Joe Rigney are few and far between anymore, I pray that the conflict in the Middle East produces men of Joe's caliber to return to lead our great nation back into prosperity.
We lost a true leader this week, gentleman.
Joe Rigney, Rest in Peace, You earned it.

 

Sorry to hear that, brother.

Semper Fi to my lost brother. Guard the gates well...

 

Condolences my friend!!
Men like that seem to be a rarity these days.

 

I can only imagine what kind of a man he was. God Bless Joseph Rigney and others like him.

 

Sorry to hear about the lost of your friend. May he rest in peace because he surely spent his time in H***. Condolences to his friends and family.

Keith

 

Another Hero from the Greatest Generation has left us. The world is less of a place because of his absence.


May God bless his family and Loved ones.


Thank you for his service.

 

God Bless America and the souls of those who have protected her from all enemies, both foreign and domestic

 

My condolences to his family and friends and a heartfelt Thank You for his service.

 

Prayers to this Heroes family

 

Prayers brother. The greatest generation. Not many left and every time I see one I go out of my way to shake their hand and tell them thank you. Brings a tear to my eyes when I do but I feel so proud to do it and can walk away knowing that it might have made their day.

 

RIP Joseph Rigney

There are few men like him today and we desperately need more.

Prayers sent from Texas to his family and friends who knew him best and the many people he touched in life.

 

SIXSLUG,

I will be praying for his family. You have my sincere condolences. Reading what you wrote gave me goosebumps. The world could absolutely use more men like him.

Marshall

 

RIP Mr. Rigney ... thank you.

Cheers,
PISTOL

 

Thanks, Guys. He truly was one of a kind.

 

What everyone else has already said. I wish that I had the honor of knowing somebody like him! Rich