Joseph W. Boutaugh passed away on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Good Shepherd Nursing Home, Wheeling.
Joseph was born on December 13, 1926 in Millinocket, Maine, the son of the late William & Yvonne Guerette Boutaugh.
In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by a brother Phillip Boutaugh and a sister Janet Lamson.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Joan McQuade Boutaugh, his sister Jackie McAdam in Millinocket, Maine, and his four children: Michele Boutaugh, Thomas Boutaugh (wife Pam), Catherine Wrobleski (husband Greg) Susan Shay (husband Steve): grandchildren Corey, Sarah, and Garrett Austin; Yvette, Bradley, and Andrea Boutaugh; Jessica, Joseph, Christopher and Mark Wrobleski; Esther, Stephen, and Daniel Shay plus 20 great-grandchildren.
Joseph entered the Army in WWII right out of high school. While in the service, he was sent to Norwich University and then to the University of Chicago to learn Japanese. After the A-Bomb was dropped ending the war, he was sent to Military Intelligence School in Tokyo. On graduating, he was made Officer-in Charge of the Military Intelligence Unit in Shimane Ken, the State north of Hiroshima. After being discharged, he entered Dartmouth College and graduated Magna Cum Laude. He accepted a position with Aetna Casualty & Surety Co. in Hartford, CT and he subsequently served in the company’s offices in Indianapolis, IN, Buffalo, NY and Detroit, MI. In Detroit, he was promoted to General Manager (GM) of the Wheeling, WV office. He later served as GM in Providence, RI and Albany, NY. He retired in NY in 1987 and moved back to Wheeling.
He was a member of various professional associations including serving as president of the WV Insurance Association and was named Insurance Manager of the Year in 1975 by the Independent Insurance Agents Association of WV.
A strong believer in becoming involved in his community, he was active in many local organizations including the Wheeling Rotary Club-past president; Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce-VP, Executive Commission; Wheeling Serra Club-Past President; Upper Ohio Valley United Way General Campaign Chairman 1975 and Jaycee’s Citizen of the Month 1975. He also founded the Community Foundation for the Upper Ohio Valley which he considered his proudest achievement. Since its founding, the Community Foundation has raised 55 million dollars and awarded more than 3.1 million dollars in grants last year.
There will be no visitation at the funeral home. Family and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial on August 24, 2019 at 11 am at St. Michael Catholic Church, Wheeling with Fr. Martin Smay as Celebrant. Interment to be held at the convenience of the family at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Wheeling.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Community Foundation, 1226 Chapline Street, Wheeling, WV, 26003 or online at cfov.org <http://cfov.org/>.
Arrangements by Altmeyer Funeral Home, 154 Kruger Street, Elm Grove, Wheeling.
Date: Saturday, August 24, 2019
Time: 11:00 am
St. Michael Catholic Church
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