Joseph Richard Northup, 92, (1924-2017) of Westfield, retired Naval Aviator and FAA Inspector, died March 13, 2017. Born in Rochester, N.Y. in 1924, he became a Naval Aviator in 1942 and served on active duty for twelve years, obtaining the rank of Lieutenant Commander. In 1958 he joined the Federal Aviation Administration as an Operations Inspector working out of Barnes Airport for twenty years. He retired in 1979. He was also a member of the Westfield Hanger of The Ancient Order of Quiet Birdman. He leaves his wife of 68 years the former Patricia (Mullaney) Northup and three children, a son Stephen Northup and his wife Suzanne Smith of Boone, NC, and daughters, Barbara Norton and her husband David of Lee, MA and Sue Chojnowski and her husband Tom of Westfield, four grandchildren, Jason Chojnowski and his wife Meg, Amy Chojnowski and her husband Adrian, Carolyn and Jeremy Norton and two great grandchildren, JJ and Jax Chojnowski.
A Calling hour will be held on Saturday from 11-12 noon in the Firtion Adams FS, 76 Broad St. Westfield. Burial to follow in Pine Hill Cemetery, Western Ave. Westfield. www.firtionadams.com
