Joseph Wesley Toche

Joseph Wesley Toche, Jr. 90, of Biloxi, Ms. died Wednesday, October 23, 2013 in Biloxi. Wesley was born on December 13, 1922 in Biloxi, MS. He was the oldest of six children. He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Bernice Thibodeaux Toche, his parents, Joseph Wesley Toche, Sr. and Anita Sonnier Toche, brothers Wallace Toche, Curtis Toche, and Eugene Toche. Survivors include two sons Gary James Toche (Judy) of League City, TX, Joseph Wesley Toche, III (Susan) of Biloxi, MS., one daughter Kathleen Toche Roberts (Leo Dolan) of Woodstock, GA, two sisters, Anita Ferrill of Biloxi, and Ruby Buchanan (Danny) of Ocean Springs, seven grandchildren, Brian and Brett Toche, Melissa Klawinski (Matt) and Andrew Roberts, Sarah Burke (Sam), Katie O’Grady (Sean) and Aimee Jordan (Robert), and five great grandchildren; Ava and Addison Klawinski, Sam and Cole Burke, Kate O’Grady, and Art and Escher Jordan. Wesley was a 1940 graduate of Sacred Heart Academy where he played football for the Galloping Gales. Wesley started his career as a boat builder at the Toche Shipyard in Biloxi. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard during WWII, after which he went to work for the Civil Engineering Squadron at Keesler Field. He retired from Keesler AFB as the Deputy of Operations and Maintenance for the 3380th Civil Engineering Group. He was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, where he served as an usher and also a Eucharistic Minister. In later years he became a member of Nativity BVM Catholic Church. He was a 60-year member of the Knights of Columbus Council 1244 where he served as Grand Knight, Deputy Grand Knight, Chancellor, Inner Guard and was a Knight in the D’Iberville Assembly of the Fourth Degree. Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 am. Tuesday, October 29, 2013 at Nativity B.V.M. Cathedral in Biloxi, followed by an 11:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial. Entombment will follow at Southern Memorial Park. In Lieu of flowers the family prefers donations in his memory be made to The Knights of Columbus, Tootsie Roll Fund for the mentally handicapped at P.O Box 34, Biloxi, MS 39533.