Joseph Leonard Mackey

Joseph Leonard Mackey, 58, of Estill Springs, TN, died suddenly in a tragic plane crash on February 7, 2021 on Keith Springs Mountain, TN. Joe was a living legend who embraced life to the fullest. He was literally larger than life and at 5’19” tall, he was looked up to by just about everyone. Each time someone asked if he played basketball, his comeback would be “No, Do you play mini-golf?” Joe was quick-witted, entertaining, well-rounded, opinionated, passionate, competitive, dependable, generous, an inspiring role model, ring leader, renegade, true friend, honest brother, fun uncle, loving father, devoted husband and also a prankster. Joe was born in Morristown, NJ on June 13, 1962 to the late Joseph E. and Janice P. (DeBoer) Mackey. He left behind his devoted wife and life-long business partner of 36 years, Sandra L. (Evans) Mackey, his talented son, Joseph Richard Mackey, Breckenridge, CO, his precious daughter, Sarah (Austin) Kinney, Phoenix, AZ and Smokey and the Bandit, their dogs. Surviving are his brother, Robert D. (Melissa) Mackey, Dallas, PA, sister Judith (James) DeBoer, Livingston, NJ, Aunts: Catherine Mackey, Ironia, NJ and Margaret Vanderkooi, Lincoln Park, NJ, Father & Mother-in-law: Richard D. & Dorothy Evans, Wilkes-Barre, PA, sisters-in-law: Bonnie & Dirk Hough, Chambersburg, PA, Lorrie & Jeff Mull, Mountaintop, PA, and Kellie & David Reinert, also W-B, PA and so many cherished cousins, nieces, nephews and a boatload of friends. He was a graduate of Hanover Park High School in E. Hanover, NJ and attended The King’s College in Briarcliff Manor, NY and East Stroudsburg University, PA. Joe started out as a computer programmer but became excited about building houses. He and Sandi owned and operated J&S Custom Homes, Target Homes and Choice Rentals & Property Management in The Poconos area of Pennsylvania for nearly three decades. He held many positions in Monroe County, but most notably, he served as President of the Pocono Builders Association and then had the honor of serving statewide as President of the Pennsylvania Builders Association. He loved a good debate and would often kick up the heat by presenting opposing views. He liked to win and ‘he was always right’. His personality was captivating, he didn’t put up with excuses and you knew you were doing something wrong if he cleared his throat (ah-ah-hem). Joe was absolutely passionate about flying airplanes and took any opportunity to be up in the air. Friends would be taken on tours, long distance family were visited often, and new drills and maneuvers were learned and practiced regularly, his favorite being spin training and chandelles. He continually challenged himself through avid studying and enjoyed the comradery with his fellow pilots. Joe recently received his certification as a Flight Instructor. If he had two wishes, it would be to travel back in time and to go to Mars. Joe loved that there was no traffic in the air, but he was widely known for getting pulled over by the police. It all started in college speeding around town in his ‘73 Mustang Mach 1 with those dark tinted windows. He once hit a turkey that was tossed back onto the windshield of a police car that was following him. He got pulled over for ‘flipping him the bird’. On another unfortunate occasion, there was a near miss as a pig darted across the road. He was pulled over… again. “But officer, how did you know it was me?” “Simple, the pig squealed.” Sandi had heard these jokes a million times but played along as Joe knew how to captivate his audience. He was always up to some antics with his friends and has been known to drive a mean snow plow truck. Joe was a MacGyver; he could construct, trouble-shoot and fix anything. He was a master craftsman and his attention to detail was exquisite. He gave much credit for his success to the high caliber of people that he sought out and surrounded himself with. He learned from their work ethic, gift of story-telling and vast life experiences. In return, Joe mentored many others to pay it forward. He was most proud of his son and daughter, Joe and Sarah. He enjoyed having them tag along on business trips, putting them to work on the rentals, picking up rocks or shoveling snow, and challenging them to Scrabble or Rummikub. Most of all, he loved to see them smile and grow up to be the people they are today. Sandi has always been an integral part of Joe’s life and supported all his interests and ambitions. Joe’s idea of relaxing, was doing WORK. His favorite saying in retirement was ‘every day is Saturday’. He dabbled in excavation work, a few remodeling projects and a complete renovation of their TN home. He loved classic cars, planes, being at the airport, scuba diving, boating, reading, camping, traveling, Star Trek, Sci-fi, games, wood working, watching the news and playing Frisbee with Bandit. He was known as ‘Pocono Joe’ to his new TN friends. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Joe’s life on Saturday, February 27th starting at 3:00 pm, Honeysuckle Pavilion (outdoors), Twin Creeks Resort Village & Marina in Winchester, TN. The family will arrange future services in Northeast PA and Morris County, NJ around Joe’s birthday in June. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in his honor to the Mike Rowe WORKS Foundation for students to gain training in the building trades www.mikeroweworks.org/donate. Joe expressed many times that he had done everything he ever wanted do in life and had no regrets. His love for racing cars at 100+ mph on the drag strip and flying planes and jets at over 240 knots may have pressed his foot on the accelerator of his timeline and resulted in his early departure from this earth. He has created a giant black hole in the hearts of all that loved and knew him. Keep your wings level, adjust your attitude, engage...warp speed. Until we meet again. Beam me up, Scotty! Moore-Cortner Funeral Home 300 1st Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398, (931)967-2222, www.moorecortner.com Please RSVP to help us prepare accordingly: https://forms.gle/ttq154gmDRbVrBZw8