Joe Toth, Jr.

Joe Toth, Jr. passed away on January 15, 2021, at the age of 87. Born to Joe Toth, Sr. and Sarah Bowers Toth on July 8, 1933, in Elkhart, Indiana. Joe was raised in Hialeah, FL, attended Hialeah Elementary and Jr. High School. He graduated from Miami Technical High School 1951, then entered the U.S. Navy and became a Naval Aviator. He was a Flight Instructor at Pensacola, FL, and later left active duty and joined Eastern Air Lines in 1958 as a Pilot, but remained in the Naval Reserve and retired as a Lt/Commander. While at Eastern, Joe primarily instructed in the Training Department, and retired as an L-1011 Captain.

Joe retired early at Eastern and then joined Air Lanka as an L- 1011 Captain. He flew to most countries in Europe and Asia. During one of his trips to Germany, he met his wife, Miriam. Joe permanently retired from his career as a pilot in 1993. They got married in 1994, and lived on beautiful Orange Lake in Micanopy, FL. Airplanes and flying was his passion. Joe flew hundreds of airplanes driven by propellers to modern jet engines, even helicopters from military aircraft to commercial airlines. He knew the planes he flew from the inside out and was a certified flight instructor on many as well. Along with being a very accomplished aviator, Joe was a voracious reader and a most likeable human being. He would drive many hours to attend birthdays, weddings, graduations, ball games and other various family activities. He loved to drive his motorcycle, even on lengthy trips, and also enjoyed spending time at his cabin nearby in McIntosh. Joe had an extraordinary wealth of experiences which he loved to talk about, and many of his friends and family considered themselves privileged to receive lengthy hand-written letters, notes and cards from him on a regular basis. Joe always had a positive and upbeat attitude and got great joy out of just about anything in his life.

His love for life was witnessed by all, including many in the medical field, amazed by Joe's will to overcome his battle with cancer for over 30 years. Joe responsibly arranged a dedication of his body to the Anatomical Board at the University of Florida for use in medical research and education.

He is predeceased by parents Joe Toth Sr and Sarah Toth Davison, brother Tom, and half-brother, Paul. Joe is survived by his wife, Miriam Toth, Micanopy, FL; his first wife, Peggy Toth, and their children Tavi Miller, Joe Toth III and wife, Krissy, Taylor Toth and wife, Kerri, Tobi Toth, Travis Toth and wife, Elisa; brother Gene and wife, Lori, and sister Sandra Garcia and husband, Fred; half-sisters Mary Ann Toth and Joanne Toth and husband, Carmen Miranda, as well as their mother, Ann Toth, stepmother to Joe.

He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren, as well as many nephews and nieces. Finally, Joe leaves behind a lot of friends including life-long friends Jack Camp, Russell Cole and Wally Beckett. Joe was dearly loved, and will be missed by all who knew him.

Following cremation, he will be interred at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL, in a private family service. Memorial gifts may be made to Hospice of Marion County, FL. Arrangements by Countryside Funeral Home in Anthony, FL.