Joseph P. Lamb, 94, proud Irishman

Joseph P. Lamb Sr., 94, of Drexel Hill, a proud Irishman who never forgot his Philadelphia roots, died Friday, Sept. 26, of respiratory failure at Springfield Hospital in Delaware County.

Born and raised in Southwest Philadelphia, Mr. Lamb was a 1937 graduate of West Philadelphia Catholic High School for Boys. While there, he played football, baseball, and basketball for the Connell Spades.

He was a resident of Briarcliffe, a neighborhood of brick rowhouses in Glenolden, before moving to Drexel Hill in 1969.

As a young man, he clerked for Dun & Bradstreet and made munitions at the Naval Gun Factory in Washington.

From 1944 to 1946, he served in the Army. Following his discharge, he worked for 30 years in various capacities, including as a machinist, at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard.

Mr. Lamb also was employed for 10 years at the Naval Aviation Supply Office in Northeast Philadelphia, retiring as an aircraft equipment specialist. On the side, he ran a tax accounting business.

An honors graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, he worked for the States of Pennsylvania and Georgia as an insurance examiner.

Mr. Lamb enjoyed spending leisure time with his family, traveling, watching old movies, playing golf, and studying the violin and piano. He followed the Phillies and Big Five basketball, especially the Penn Quakers, his family said. He was a member of St. Andrew the Apostle Church in Drexel Hill.

Son Joseph Jr. said his father, the offspring of Irish immigrants, "was very proud of his Irish heritage. Philadelphia and this area was the epicenter of his life."

Mr. Lamb was married for 61 years to Kathleen D. Lamb. She died earlier.

Surviving, besides his son, are daughters Jeanne Marie and Eileen McQueston; five grandchildren: two brothers; and a sister.

A Funeral Mass will be said at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, at St. Andrew the Apostle Church, 3500 School Lane, Drexel Hill. Friends may call after 10 a.m. Interment is in SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Marple Township.

Contributions may be made to West Catholic High School, 4501 Chestnut St., Philadelphia 19139.