Joe attended Bath schools graduating from Morse High School in 1960. He was a member of the Bath “Cadets” Drum Corps as well as the Buccaneers Senior Corp. He served in the Maine National Guard, where he obtained training in the land surveying field.
He was married to Christine C. Charest on April 14, 1962, and was blessed with two children: son, Matthew Joseph Sonia and daughter, Anne Marie Sonia.
He began his working career employed with Wright & Pierce of Topsham after which was a team member with Cianbro Corporation of Pittsfield. He gained extensive experience on numerous construction projects in many locations in state as well as out of state, retiring in 2001. He was also a State of Maine Professional Land Surveyor for several years.
Joe loved life, family and friends. He was an avid sportsman, enjoying the virtues of trapping nuisance game in his retirement years. He had a love for swimming and scuba diving. After a serious leg injury, he was proud of completing the American Red Cross 50 mile “swim and stay fit program” in 1998 at the Wiscasset Community Center pool.
Joe struggled with Alzheimer’s disease for several years. The family would like to thank those involved in his care: Wiscasset Family Medicine, The
Lamp of Lisbon,
Maine, Mid Coast
Hospital staff, CHANS
Hospice, as well as
Winship Green Nursing Center.
He is survived by his wife, Christine
Sonia of Wiscasset, one son, Matthew Joseph Sonia and his wife Mary-Jo Dougherty of Richmond, one daughter, Anne Marie Griffin and her partner Steven Franz of Wiscasset, two grandchildren, Conrad G. Griffin and Cody G. Griffin, sister-in-law, Caroline (Rattleff) Sonia of Wiscasset, several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his father, Leon Sonia, his mother, Dorothy Sonia, and his brother, Arthur “Mickey” Sonia.
A private service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter, 383 U.S. Route 1, Suite 2C, Scarborough, ME 04074-9843 or CHANS Hospice, 60 Baribeau Drive, Brunswick, ME 04011.
Arrangements are by Daigle Funeral Home, 819 High St., Bath, Maine. You are invited to share your condolences and memories with the family by visiting their Book of Memories at www.Daiglefuneralhome.com.
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