Joseph F. Wagner
June 17, 1954 – February 27, 2012
Joseph F. Wagner passed away peacefully on the morning of February 27, at his home on Bainbridge Island surrounded by his family and friends. He was 57 years old.
Born in Toppenish, Washington on June 17, 1954, to Richard and Idamarie Wagner, Joe moved to Lake Oswego, Oregon as young boy. He was a skilled snow skier and member of a racing team at Mount Hood. He graduated from Lake Oswego High School in 1972, went to college part time and worked in the lumber business. In 1976, he began his study of architecture, art and sculpture at Portland State University where he was taught by Jim Hanson and Fred Liptman. He continued these studies at the University of Oregon and graduated from there with a degree in Architecture in 1981. While attending the University he also worked with sculptor Jan Zack.
Joe began his professional architecture career in Eugene, Oregon with Architectural Historian, Phillip Dole. There he worked on documenting and restoring historic buildings in the area, such as the Heceta Head Light Station Keeper’s Dwelling (1890). From 1982 until 1986 he lived in San Francisco, California where he continued his work documenting and authentically restoring early West Coast architecture. Preservation Park in Oakland, Pasadena City Hall, and the Pacific Heritage Museum in San Francisco are among his significant restoration projects. The gates to the latter building are adorned with bronze plaques created by Joe in 1986.
Joe relocated to Seattle in 1986. He worked with the award winning firm, Kovalenko Hale Architects for many years specializing in the documentation and preservation of several of the city’s historic buildings for which the firm received citations from the Landmarks Preservation Board. Throughout his architectural career, Joe continued producing sculpture and furniture. He exhibited and won awards at select shows such as Table, Lamp and Chair in Portland, the San Francisco Urban Fair Competition and the Northwest Gallery of Fine Woodworking.
Joe met his wife, Martha McDonald in Eugene, Oregon in 1980. They married on August 14, 1983, after moving to San Francisco. Their son Peter was born there November 5, 1984. Their twin daughters, Vanessa and Caroline were born April 19, 1987 in Seattle.
In 1988, Joe and Martha bought property on Crystal Springs, Bainbridge Island where Joe fulfilled his desire to design and build his own house. The family moved to the Island in 1990. Joe filled his home with furniture and sculpture of his own design. He was a passionate collector of photography, sculpture, paintings, pottery and books, as well rocks from the Bainbridge beaches and from any part of the world he roamed. Throughout his life he was an avid fly fisherman and fished all over the Northwest, Montana and Alaska. One of his greatest enjoyments up to his last year was his annual trip to Southeast Alaska to hike and fish with his brother-in law, Dennis Montgomery.
In 1998 Joe was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Surgery and subsequent treatment saved his life, but stole his architectural career. He began painting pastel fantasies based on his architectural vision and exhibited and sold them in the Northwest and the East Coast. Strong, good natured and joyful, Joe continued to find beauty in the world until his last day.
Joe is survived by his wife of 29 years, Martha (McDonald) his children Pete, Vanessa and Caroline; mother Idamarie Wagner; siblings Rick and Teresa Wagner; aunt and uncle Joann and Vernon Ford; cousins Toni Price and Celine Swanson and seven nieces and nephews.
Our family is thankful to the Montgomery and McDonald families for continual support and to all of our dear friends who contributed so generously to Joe’s well being. We also wish to gratefully acknowledge 11 years of brilliant, compassionate and graceful care provided Joe by Dr. Alexander Spence.
Services are scheduled for March 10, 2012, at 11 a.m. at St. Cecilia’s Church, Bainbridge Island, WA
A celebration honoring Joe begins March 10 at noon at the Manor House at Pleasant Beach, 4738 Lynwood Center Road NE Bainbridge Island.
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