Joe Brubaker

On Friday, January 15, 2016, Joe Brubaker, 59, took his last step across the Bridge, soaring as an Eagle ready to explore his next adventure. Having waged a courageous 6 month journey with pancreatic cancer, Joe finished the journey his way, in charge, in control, in humbleness. He left this earth, from his own home, on his terms, with his wife, Lyn and 4 furry felines at his side. God blessed both Joe and Lyn with grace, strength, and courage to journey together. Born in Lancaster, Joe was the son of Albert and Betty Brubaker. High school sweethearts from 1974, Joe was the husband of Lynda Carlin Brubaker, whom he married on June 23, 1979. They spent their married life sharing their dedication to work, their passion for adventure, their love of travel, their privacy of home. Joe graduated from Hempfield High School in 1974, where he had lettered in cross country, wrestling, track and field. Initially, a welder through high school Vo Tech classes, Joe forged a different profession upon graduation. Joe chose to shadow in his father's footsteps in the family business at Brubaker, Inc. Having attended evening classes at Messiah College, Millersville University, and Lancaster Bible College, Joe found fulfillment in pursuing life adventures through actual experiences, not just reading the words. During his more than 42 years of employment at Brubaker, Inc., Joe found his classroom as a participant through life experiences and adventures. Grounded in solid values and principles, Joe's first adventures were hiking, canoeing, and rafting. From the Appalachian Trail, through Japan and Korea, over the trails in Acadia National Park, across the Colorado Rockies, atop the Swiss Alps, to the Great Wall of China, the backwoods of Denali National Park, the sacred Haleakala volcano, Joe did them all and more. Content on a mountain top in winter, he avidly skied the northeast, southwest, northwest, and British Columbia, many trips through the Lancaster Ski Club. Heli skiing trips were "awesome". Off season, Joe biked with friends over many rail trails throughout Pennsylvania and Maryland. Continuing his love of the outdoors, camping from Maine to Florida, East to West, north through Canada and Alaska, Joe and Lyn were blessed with many persons met and shared laughs, forged forever in thanks. Joe’s love of the ocean evolved into scuba diving with the group Goin Down Divin. Diving in some of the best dive sites in the world from the Caribbean, to Honduras, to Hawaii, to the remote Matangi Island Resort in Fiji. "Pool's open". Joe and Lyn shared together these travels, trips, adventures, and memories with so many others--thanks to all who made Joe's classroom of life an "A plus". Along with his wife, Lyn, Joe leaves behind his 4 furry boys: Calvin, Felix, Mason, and Murphy. He is also survived by his parents Albert and Betty Brubaker (Lancaster) and Father and mother in law, Bill and Jean Carlin (Lancaster). Joe leaves behind siblings: Paul (Lancaster); Rachel, wife of Dennis Witmer (Washington); Lois (Alaska); John, husband of Carol Leaman (Ohio); Carol (California); Beth Ann, wife of Tommy Johnson (North Carolina); 5 nieces and 5 nephews. Joe was predeceased by brother Danny. A Celebration of life in Joe's memory will be held at a later date to be determined. "In lieu of flowers we kindly suggest that you consider making a donation to Caring Bridge by going to the Joe Brubaker site, www.CaringBridge.org/visit/joebrubaker, and select Donation." and/or the Mountville Church of the Brethren (www.mountvillecob.org).

Joe Brubaker

January 19, 2016