Joseph Bernard Fox of New Smyrna Beach passed away during sunset on April 29, 2013. He was born in Stockton, Illinois to Clara (Carroll) and Joseph Fox on October 31, 1921. He was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served in the South Pacific during World War II. In 1951, he moved his family to Daytona Beach after discovering its beauty while traveling on business. In 1956, he bought a Firestone franchise in New Smyrna Beach and expanded the business to include a Schwinn dealership in the early 1970’s. For the rest of his life, people shared with him happy memories of favorite bikes from his shop. After selling the business, he spent the 1980’s traveling extensively throughout South and Central America where he even became an honorary tribe member after helping a local tribesman with a lift and meeting their leader. Having grown up on a farm, rising well before dawn was a part of his lifetime routine. Always happiest working, even in retirement, he drove for many years during the wee hours to a Titusville bakery picking up that day’s fresh bagels for Bagel World. He enjoyed sharing the wealth of stories he had from his nightly midnight rides. He also loved the sunrise, so he maintained a few beachside hotel pools to enjoy “the birth of a new day.” Until this past year, he provided leadership and maintenance supervision for his condo association. He always liked to stay active and enjoyed many friendships.
Survivors include his daughter, Paula Fox; a daughter-in-law, Joelle Fox; four grandsons: Joseph (Stephanie) Culley, Travis Culley, Jason (Carrie) Watters and Ryan (Danette) Fox; four great grandsons: Justin, Brandon, Julian and Noah Culley; a sister-in-law, Sandra Fox and two generations of caring nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his son, Bernard Joseph (B.J.) Fox; two brothers: Eugene Fox and Thomas Fox; two sisters: Rita Adams and Rosalie Hotze; and one nephew, Brian Adams.
He was proud that his physician, Dr. Regina Asihene, is a leader in Medical Missions with Africa Transformation Embassy (ATEmbassy.net). In his memory, donations are requested to help build a well that will be dedicated in his name in a Tanzania community during their 2014 medical mission.
A brief service will be held at 11:00AM on Friday, May 10, 2013 at the mausoleum in the Edgewater/New Smyrna Cemetery, 700 South Ridgewood Av, Edgewater, FL.
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