Joseph P. Wilkinson, Jr., 101, of Leonardtown, MD died April 4, 2009 at his home.

Born December 20, 1907 in Hollywood, MD he was the son of the late Joseph P. Sr, and Eleanor Wells Wilkinson.

Mr. Wilkinson received his primary education at the old Sandy Bottom School in Hollywood, MD, and then attended Georgetown Prep in Washington, DC. For many years Mr. Wilkinson was a member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Leonardtown, MD and was an active participant in many organizations of the parish including the Holy Name Society. He also was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus Council 1470 and served as past Grand Knight. In his early years, he worked for Mr. Al Saunders at his general store in Leonardtown. He also worked for Lloyd Brown as an electrician.

Prior to World War II, he opened a radio repair shop and was the only radio repairman in St. Mary's County. After the war ended, Mr. Wilkinson opened his own Radio/TV/Appliance sales/service business known for many years as Wilkinson's in Leonardtown. He closed the business in 1965 and went to work at NATC, Patuxent River, MD where he worked until his retirement on March 29, 1975.

Mr. Wilkinson is survived by his seven children; Joseph A. Wilkinson, Catherine (Kitty) Doering, Frances Duke, Ellen Hall, Dorothy Fenwick, Patricia Dameron, all of Leonardtown, MD, and Karen Behrens of LaPlata, MD, 33 grandchildren, 61 great grandchildren, 13 great great grandchildren, and one sister, Mary Wilkinson Carroll.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, Helen Bowles Wilkinson whom he married April 6, 1931, at St. John Francis Regis Catholic Church in Hollywood, MD.

He is also preceded in death by his brothers; George Wilkinson, McCall Wilkinson, Rev. James Wilkinson, SJ, Claude Wilkinson and sisters; Harriet Curtin, and Eleanor Boothe.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, April 7, 2009 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home, 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Prayers will be recited at 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 22800 Washington Street, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Reverend George A. Wilkinson will be the celebrant. Interment will follow in St. John Francis Regis Catholic Cemetery, Hollywood, MD.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650, or the Leonardtown Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 299, Leonardtown, MD 20650.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.