Joseph J. Elwood Jr., age 81, of Frisco, Texas, passed away June 16, 2023. He was born July 22, 1941, to Agnes (Geoghan) and Joseph J. Elwood. Joe attended Boston Technical High School and excelled at his studies. He achieved a lifetime dream of attending Wentworth University in Cambridge, MA. The government started looking at how exceptional his mathematical skills were which would play a role later down the line in his career. Joe spent his weekends attending school dances looking for love. He was known as an exceptional dancer and a favorite of the ladies at the dances. His life changed one night when he danced with an Irish, Ellen Donahue, who was an incredible dancer and was full of personality. Joe fell for her instantly. At the time, he was doing amazing things for his country. Joe was working on a top-secret project of sending a man to the moon at MIT. The government would request him and his code name was Uncle Joe. The government requested Joe to work on special projects at secret bases for thirty years. On December 20, 1971, Joe and Ellen had their first son, David, who excelled at sports and graduated college. They had a loving, successful marriage for 45 years. Joe had a life that people dreamed of. He met Elvis, President Truman and also worked on the Manhattan Project. Joe said meeting Oppenheimer was the chance of a lifetime. He really enjoyed his retirement and traveling with his family.
Joe is survived by his favorite son, David Alan Elwood, of Frisco, Texas; his sisters, Kathy Riordain and Theresa Gambedella, both of Boston, Massachusetts; his brother-in-law, Robert “Bob” Smith of Dallas, Texas; his nephew, Daniel Smith of Dallas, Texas; and his niece, Dr. Erin Smith, of Washington, D.C.
He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ellen Elwood, and his parents.
A visitation will be held at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow, 8520 E. Main Street, Frisco, Texas, on Monday, June 26, 2023, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. The funeral service is at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 8000 Eldorado Pkwy., Frisco, Texas, on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at 11:00 a.m.