Joseph Aloysius Wilkinson, 79, of Leonardtown was called home on January 15th, 2012. Born, March 21st, 1932, in Hollywood, MD, was the son of the late Joseph and Helen Wilkinson.

Mr. Wilkinson went to St John's school for his early education and then to St Mary's Academy in Leonardtown, MD and graduated in 1950. For many years Mr. Wilkinson was a member of St. Frances Xavier Church in Compton, MD and was an active participant in many organizations of the parish including a Eucuristic Minister. He also was a Charter member of St Francis Xavier the Missionary Council, 10957 of the Knights of Columbus, and served as past Grand Knight, Deputy Grand Knight and Lecturer.

He enlisted in the Air Force from 1950 to 1954. Mr. Wilkinson started as Civil Servant in 1954, working for NATC, Patuxent River, MD and ending his career at White Sands Missile Range at White Sands, NM retiring as a Missile Range Scheduler in 1987. After retiring he worked several years for St. Mary's Circuit Court as a Bailiff.

Also post retirement, he pursued many interests, including; Real Estate, Real Estate Appraisal, Duck Carving, Wood Burning, Wood Working, Bus Driving, and most of all playing with his 16 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

Mr. Wilkinson is survived by his wife Annie (Jiggy) Wilkinson of 53 years, his five children; Joseph A. JR (Lisa), Patrick I. (Tracey) of Leonardtown, MD, Paul A. (Mary)of California, MD, Thomas A. (Christine) of Libby, MT and Margaret (Maggie) Seifert (Joerg) of Darien, IL. Mr. Wilkinson is also survived by six sisters; Catherine (Kitty) Doering, Frances Duke, Ellen Hall, Dorothy Fenwick, Patricia Dameron, all of Leonardtown, MD, and Karen Behrens of LaPlata, MD, 16 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Wilkinson is preceeded in death by his son George R Wilkinson and grandson William W. Wilkinson.

The family will receive friends for Joe's life celebration on Thursday, January 19, 2012 from 5-8 p.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home, 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, Maryland with prayers recited at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, January 20, 2012 at 10 a.m. in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 21370 Newtowne Neck Road, Maryland. The Reverend George A Wilkinson, Pastor from Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, College Park, MD will be the celebrant. Interment will follow in church cemetery with Joseph A. Wilkinson Jr., Thomas A. Wilkinson, Patrick I. Wilkinson, Paul Wilkinson, Christopher D. Vanarsdall, Ryan J. Wilkinson serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Family requests memorial contributions to Leonardtown Rescue Squad, P.O Box 299, Leonardtown, MD 20650 Hospice House c/o Hospice of St. Mary, Inc., P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650 or St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 21370 Newtowne Neck Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650.

Arrangements provided by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A. Leonardtown, MD 20650.