Joseph J. Dobo

Joseph J. Dobo, known to his family and friends alike as “Joe”, went Home to the Lord on December 17th, 2023 with his son, David and beloved dog Toby at his side.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 42 years, Mary Beth, and his parents and sisters. He leaves behind David and Toby, as well as many cherished nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

Joe was born on December 29th,1930 at the beginning of the Great Depression. Growing up in such times taught him the virtues of hard work, thrift and patriotism. A young teen when World War II broke out, he followed the progress of Allied Forces as they achieved victory throughout the world. Upon graduation from high school, he enlisted in the Ohio National Guard where he honorably served for three years.

Joe worked for B.F. Goodrich and in the local Akron grocery industry for over fifty years. He provided for and raised a family with great love and devotion. A lifelong Catholic, Joe attended St. John’s Church in Firestone Park but became a member of St. Vincent Parish when he married the great love of his life, Mary Beth. Together they built a life based on love and mutual respect and raised their son, David. As a family, they owned a number of beloved dogs: Peppiee, P.J. and Toby, known by Dad as Toby Bear.

A lifelong golfer, he took up the game to rehabilitate his leg after an injury saving his infant nephew. Golf became a passion. Dad was a fierce but fair competitor. He constantly strove to improve his game and would kindly offer advice to help someone better learn the game or to fix their swing. He never “played for blood” as he would say on the golf course but rather chased the fun of the game. He also never hesitated to give a buddy a do-over if they messed up a shot.

An avid aviation enthusiast, Joe loved anything that could fly. He built model airplanes as a hobby as a boy and then returned to the hobby later in life. He populated every flat surface of his home with lovingly crafted model airplanes.

A history enthusiast with boundless curiosity, Dad absorbed every scrap of knowledge he could find. He was especially keen on the history of Ancient Egypt and enjoyed trips to museums to see artifacts of by-gone civilizations.

He leaves this life as he lived it: fairly, fearlessly, and with endless love for God, Family and his Country.

Mass of the Christian Burial will take place on Friday, December 22, 2023 at 10 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 164 W. Market St., Akron, OH with interment at Holy Cross Cemetery. Visitation hours will be Thursday, December 21, from 4 – 7 p.m. at the Eckard-Baldwin Funeral Home and Chapel, 760 E. Market St., Akron, OH 44305. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Guiding Eyes For the Blind.

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