Joseph G. Kernisky , died on June 20, 2012, at Duke Hospital Cardiac Center. Mr. Kernisky was born on September 9, 1938, in Farrell, PA, to Joseph and Mary Kernisky. He is survived by Paddy, his beloved wife of forty-seven years; their only child, Joseph David, his daughter-in-law, Allison, one adored granddaughter, Rory Lorraine of Miami, FL., and his sister, Mary Jean of West Middlesex, PA.
Mr. Kernisky often described his life as simple and good. He was a Catholic, a son, a husband, a father, and a cheerful friend to many during his life in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia.
In January 1963, Mr. Kernisky was hired by the Central Intelligence Agency as a cartographer assigned to the National Photographic Interpretation Center. Mr. Kernisky received numerous awards from the Agency for exemplary work, including the coveted “Order of the Eagle”. He retired with thirty-three years of service in 1994.
After thirty years in Charles City, MD., the city man returned to his farm roots in 1996, when he found the farm of his dreams in Keysville, VA, For nine years, Joseph and Paddy reveled in their adventures as cow people.
One of Mr. Kernisky’s passions was playing the accordion. He played with many talented musicians and he loved playing bluegrass at Philbecks Music Hall in Keysville. Mr. Kernisky was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Churchs in La Plata, Maryland, and Meherrin, VA.
The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, any remembrances in Mr. Kernisky’s name be made to the Charlotte County Rescue Squad, or to Duke Heart Center, Duke University, Box 90581, Durham, NC 27708.
Because Mr. Kernisky proudly served in the United States Army from 1959 to 1962, he will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, June 24, 2012, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Browning-Duffer Funeral Home in Keysville, VA. A funeral mass will be held at 11:30 a.m., Monday, June 25, 2012, in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Meherrin, VA, with interment to follow at a later date in the Arlington National Cemetery. The Browning-Duffer Funeral home in Keysville, VA, is in charge of arrangements.

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