Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

Maryland Veterans Cemetery - Cheltenham

Joseph William Rahall III, 76, passed away on Thursday Oct 3, 2024 surrounded by his family at his home.  Born January 2, 1948 in Boston, Massachusetts to Joseph & Helen Rahall (Brock), Joe was a dearly loved husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

A graduate of Boston Technical High School in 1966, Joe also had a special love for the time he spent at Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire growing up.   With a deep-seated love of country and true patriotic spirit, Joe enlisted in the Air Force during the Vietnam War, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. During this time, Joe married his wife of 55 years Mary Ann Rahall [Drake] on Nov 1, 1969.

After being honorably discharged from the service, Joe studied engineering and received his Bachelor of Science Degree from George Washington University in Washington, DC in 1975.

Joe took his dream Job working for the Department of Defense upon his graduation, continuing his commitment to serve America. His work at NAVSEA focused on the United States Nuclear Submarine Program, specifically the Trident Submarine Program. Joe loved NAVSEA and would call it home for his entire forty-plus year career.

While Joe found fulfillment from his career accomplishments, his greatest joy remained his his family. Joe and Mary were blessed to have two children, daughter Julie Rahall Casalino [Joe] and son Joseph William Rahall IV [Erica]. In recent years, Joe’s passion for family grew from loving father and husband to doting grandfather with the addition of his granddaughter [Lexi] and grandson [Joseph William Rahall V].

Consistent with a life of giving back, Joe was an avid volunteer in his community, especially in Southern Maryland. He donated his time and technical skills in the field of computers and networking to St. Peter’s School in Waldorf and St. Mary’s Ryken High School. He acted as a coach for both Julie and Joe’s Odyssey of the Mind and Destination Imagination teams; and later served as judge at competitions for both organizations.

Joe is survived by his wife, two children, and two grandchildren, a son-in-law and daughter-in-law.

Relatives and friends are invited to Joe's Life Celebration on Monday, October 28, 2024 from 11:45 a.m. until the start of the funeral service at 12:45 pm. at the KALAS FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD 20745.  Interment to follow with military honors at Maryland Veterans Cemetery, 11301 Robert S. Crain Hwy, Cheltenham, MD 20623 at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made a charity to be denoted soon. 

Joseph William Rahall, III

Joseph William Rahall, III

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