Joseph M. 'Joe' Cloud, 81

WILMINGTON - Joseph M. "Joe" Cloud of Wilmington passed away Thursday, Oct. 25, 2007, in his home, surrounded by his loving family. He was 81.

Mr. Cloud was born in Wilmington, son of the late Harry and Mary Cloud. He was raised in West Philadelphia and made Delaware his home for the past 55 years.

He graduated from West Catholic Boys School, and earned a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from Villanova University in 1951.

Mr. Cloud served his country proudly as a member of the U.S. Navy during World War II, serving in the South Pacific.

He was employed by the U.S. government, Department of the Navy, as an electrical engineer for 37 years at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, retiring in 1988.

He enjoyed golf and caring for his family.

Mr. Cloud was a longtime and faithful member of St. Helena's Church, Wilmington, where he was a Eucharistic minister and lector.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Dorothy McCann; and a brother, Harry Cloud.

He is survived, and will be sadly missed, by his beloved wife of 55½ years, Gertrude G. Cloud; two daughters and two sons-in-law, Mary Ann and Mike Williams of Middletown, and JoAnn and Allen McIlvain of Dover; a son and a daughter-in-law, Robert M. and Gail Cloud of Lincoln University, Pa.; and six loving grandchildren, Mark Williams, Matthew Cloud, Kevin Cloud, Kathryn McIlvain-Scott, Jonathan McIlvain and Siobain McIlvain.

Mass of Christian burial will be 11 a.m. Tuesday in St. Helena's Church, 602 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington, where friends may call one hour earlier.

Burial will be in Cathedral Cemetery, Wilmington.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Compassionate Care Hospice, 5610 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE 19808; or to St. Helena's Church, 602 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington, DE 19809.