Joseph Anthony Pompei, Jr.

Joseph Anthony Pompei, Jr., 79, of Ballston Lake, New York, passed peacefully May 1, 2025 in his home, surrounded by his beloved family and canine companion. Joe was born on March 27, 1946 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Joe is survived by his spouse Bonita Kowalski, sister Dianna Pompei, children Joseph (Mary Frances) Pompei III, David (Pauline) Pompei, Andrea Pompei (Arthur Newberry), Emily Pompei, Guy (Nicole) Kowalski, Tiffany (Michael) Waligora, his grandchildren Penelope Rose Pompei, Rosetta Pompei Newberry, Rose & Theo Kowalski and Shay & Brooke Waligora.

Joe was a graduate of Eastern High School in Middletown, and the University of Louisville J.B. Speed Scientific School, where he was a member of Lamda Chi Alpha. He was a mechanical engineer, employed 30 years for GE, where he was General Manager of Power Systems, working mostly in South America.

Joe was a lifelong learner who had an insatiable interest in the mechanics of objects and life. He was a world traveller, who especially valued experiencing diverse cultures. He took his family on adventures to far away places, so they, too, would learn to love them, and they have.

Joe cherished every moment spent with family and long time friends, who shared a mischievous history. You know, if there was mischief, there was Joe.

He was a master wood worker, designing and creating his own amazing, heirloom pieces for his family members’ homes as well as his own.

In his last years, content and no longer restless that he had not accomplished all he had planned, he found peace in a quieter life, just sitting on his deck, surveying the beauty of his yard, watching his dogs, the migrating hummingbirds or mowing his lawn on his favorite mower.

He was our adviser and our rock in times of good and bad. He taught us to be curious, brave and brilliant. We are who and what we are because of him, and we will be forever grateful he was ours.

Friends and Family are invited to visit and share memories of Joe at Newcomer Funeral Home, East (235 Juneau Drive Louisville, KY 40243) Saturday May 10 from 10:00 A.M. - 12:45 P.M. followed immediately by a service. A graveside burial will begin at 2:00 P. M. at Cave Hill Cemetery (701 Baxter Ave. Louisville, KY 40204).