Joseph R. Kaminskas

Joseph R. Kaminskas died on December 19, 2024, at the age of 89. He was born and raised in Newark, NJ to a Lithuanian-American family. His parents were the late Justinas/Joseph and Eva V. Elsneris Kaminskas.

Joe earned his private pilot’s license in Newark, New Jersey and enlisted in the New Jersey Air National Guard. He was accepted into U.S. Air Force Aviation Cadet training and qualified for advanced fighter jets, flying the F-84 and F-86. He returned home to run his family’s business, Wentzel’s Wonder Bar and Grill, upon the death of his uncle and father, but soon returned to the New Jersey Air National Guard, and later became an airline transport pilot for Capitol International Airways and later for United Airlines. Among the aircraft he flew professionally were the Lockheed Constellation, C-46, DC-8, DC-10, and Boeing 727. He owned and flew numerous small aircraft over the years, the most beloved of which was his 1930 Waco RNF biplane, which he had authentically restored and flew in his retirement years to airshows across the country. In total, he accumulated 24,000 hours in the air. He was a member of numerous aviation groups, including the Gettysburg Barnstormers, High Fliars, Quiet Birdmen, and the Shue Boys.

Joe is survived by a daughter, Sandra Kaminskas and a son, Andrew Kaminskas.

Memorial contributions may be made to charities assisting dementia patients and research.

Joseph's Celebration of Life service will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 24, 2024, at the LeRoy R. Leber Funeral Home, 2290 School St., York (Shiloh). Final resting place will be in Rosedale Cemetery, NJ at a later date.

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