I am saddened to be posting again so soon, this time with information about Joe Lalumia W1XWX, Silent Key. I have informed ARRL Headquarters of Joe's passing so that he is honored in QST magazine, and I am posting here so his profile page is updated. With sympathy, Aaron -- Aaron Hulett | K8AMH Section Traffic Manager, ARRL North Texas From https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/dallas-tx/joseph-lalumia-9354522: Joseph Frank Lalumia, 73, of 1909 Lakeview Drive, Rockwall, Texas, passed away on September 9, 2020. He was born in Dallas, Texas on April 4, 1947 to Frank and Josephine Lalumia. He graduated from Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas in 1965 and received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing from the University of North Texas in Denton. During his high school years in 1963-1964, he was a member of the rock and roll band The People, playing rhythm guitar. Joe’s family fondly remembers the band playing in the den of their parent’s home and recording two studio tracks that were played by Dallas radio stations. He was married to Nanette Jerden Lalumia for 48 years, having married on May 4, 1970. Nanette preceded him in death after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. His children are so proud of how Joe cared for their mother in her final years. His gentleness with Nan and willingness to be a full-time caregiver is a wonderful legacy for which Allen and Laura will always be grateful. Joe married his childhood sweetheart, Laura Gambill, on August 1, 2018, and he enjoyed spending time with her children, Nick and Niechele Gambill, Nick’s wife Leighton and their children Noah six years, and Brock two years. Joe had a career in grocery distribution with McLane Company of Temple, Texas for many years as a salesman, ending his career as Executive Vice President. McLane sent Joe to set up new grocery warehouses and their computerized inventory systems all over the United States, Europe and the Mariana Islands. For the final ten years of his career, he worked with his brothers and nephew, Sam, Mike and Sonny Lalumia, in the operation of a family-owned restaurant chain called Wings. Joe was passionate about astronomy, amateur radio operation and fishing. As his YouTube videos attest, passionate is an understatement. He thoroughly educated himself and loved to pass his knowledge onto others. Joe was the host of a YouTube channel called TelescopeMan where he provided educational videos on amateur radio and telescope operation. His call sign was W1XWX. His signature tag line was “I wish you 73 and clear skies. Remember to keep looking up to see the greatest show on earth right over your head every single night.” Joe was an active member of the Dallas chapter of the Texas Astronomical Society where he served as President and Treasurer and a member of the Rockwall Amateur Radio Club. He held many radio technician awards and licensures. To see Joe in his element, check out his YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/user/jlalumia. He is survived by his wife, Laura Gambill Lalumia; his children, Joseph Allen Lalumia and Laura Lee Nofziger; four grandchildren, Kylie, Olen, Leon and Hunter Nofziger; and his brothers Sam and Michael Lalumia with whom he shared a most special bond. Funeral arrangements will be held at 1:00PM, September 28, 2020 at Sparkman Crane Funeral Home in Dallas, Texas.
