Joseph Bear

Oct 16, 1925 -

Jan 27, 2024

Joseph Bear, 98, passed away peacefully at Providence Alaska Medical Center. Joe was born in Hedding, N.J., and was the youngest in a large blended Hungarian family. Joe served during World War II in the Army Air Force as a mechanic for a B25 air squadron. In 1947, Joe and a friend embarked on a great adventure, driving to Alaska over the newly completed Alcan Highway.

Once in Anchorage, Alaska, Joe found work and enjoyed life in the Last Frontier. Upon return to New Jersey, Joe began courting Dorothy, who soon became his wife. In 1951, Joe and Dot moved to Anchorage, where they settled in Muldoon and eventually built their home. Joe, Dorothy and their three sons also homesteaded 40 acres on the South Fork of Eagle River, Alaska, in the early 1960s. Joe's career was as an inspector for the Army Corps of Engineers and he worked on several large projects throughout the state, including reconstruction of downtown Anchorage after the 1964 earthquake.

As well as being an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, fishing and flying, Joe was a wonderful artist who enjoyed painting as well as carving soapstone and wood. After his retirement, Joe and Dot often took friends and family on their trips to Europe; they enjoyed giving guidance to others in terms of places to visit, good restaurants and the best driving routes. Being devout Catholics, Joe and Dot were generous with their time and donations to various aspects of the Catholic church, including helping to build two Anchorage parishes.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; siblings; son, Stephen J. Bear; and beloved wife of 69 years, Dorothy P. Bear.

Survivors include sons, Mark J. Bear (Deborah) and Joseph R. Bear (Roberta); and as well as seven grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

A funeral will be held at Saint Patrick's Catholic Church in Anchorage on March 15, 2024, at 3 p.m., with a reception following.

Joseph's remains will be laid to rest at Angelus Memorial Park later in 2024.