Joseph Clay

Joseph F Clay was born in New York City on August 1, 1927.  As a youth, he developed a love for baseball and his pitching skills led to an invitation to join the New York (now San Francisco) Giants organization.  His stint there was short-lived, interrupted by a call to duty in World War II.

He was assigned to the South Pacific and was headed for Japan, and a presumed invasion, when the atomic bomb intervened to end the war.  Stateside, he married Virginia Marie Clay in 1949 and undertook a long and successful career with the New York Telephone Company.  His proudest achievement there was overseeing the implementation of the “911” emergency call system in New York City.  That effort became the model for the nation and, to some extent, the world.  He retired in 1985 and he and “Ginny” moved to Fredericksburg, VA where she died in 2003 and he on February 27, 2023.

Joseph is survived by one son, Christopher, of Mason, OH, a daughter-in-law, Maria Clay (whom he cherished), three grandchildren, Lucas and Erica (from Mason) and Jonathan (who lives in Pedasi, Panama).  He was also close to a niece, Mary Meyers (daughter of his only sister Patricia who predeceased him).

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday, March 13 ^th at 10:00am at Good Shepherd Church, 8815 E Kemper Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45249. A burial will follow at 2:00pm at Dayton National Cemetery.

Mueller Funeral Home is honored to serve the Clay Family. 513-398-9100