Obituary: Joseph “Joe” George Plasky
Our dad, Joseph “Joe” George Plasky, a loving father, inventive engineer, and beloved "Muffin Man," passed away on September 29th at the age of 88. He is survived by us, his four adoring daughters, who were most grateful to be the absolute center of his world: Mary Plasky (Bryan Nelson) of New Bern, NC; Stephanie Stepps (Crosby) of Ayden, NC; Sarah Sachdev (Marc) of Chapel Hill, NC; and Christine Andre (Jon) of Emerald Isle, NC. Joe’s legacy of curiosity and kindness lives on in his grandchildren, Steven, Jessica, Justin, Amanda and Kaili; and his great-grandchildren, Layne and Tallulah. He also leaves behind his adored siblings and their spouses: John (Janet), Lorraine Baggett (Deke), Robert (Audrey), and many special nieces and nephews.
Born in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, to Joseph J. Plasky and Mary V. Plasky (Machunsky), Joe was preceded in death by his parents; his great-granddaughter, Harper Grey Stepps; and the love of his life, his wife of 57 years, our mom, Sandra "Sue" Plasky.
A man of profound and steady ritual, Dad was an early riser who greeted nearly every day of his life by watching the sun come up. With his faithful canine companion, Ricky, by his side, he would walk the beach in Emerald Isle or the fairways of the Kinston Country Club, reveling in the quiet promise of a new beginning. He would often return home to bake, his kitchen filling with the smell of muffins or bread, and later, after Mom passed, he began sending us videos from these walks. These daily messages, always featuring a happy Ricky and the rising sun, became our family’s favorite way to wake up. He’d tell us his schedule and share his simple, guiding principle: “God gave you another day; go out and do something nice for others.” We take comfort in imagining them together again on that eternal sunrise walk.
A proud Mountaineer, Joe graduated from WVU in 1961 with a degree in Civil Engineering. His most cherished discovery in Morgantown, however, wasn't in a textbook—it was the nurse named Sue he met on a blind date, who became his partner for life. After college, his ROTC commission led to a distinguished Army career, from which he retired as a Captain.
While some people simply have jobs, our dad had a calling. He adored his 36-year career with DuPont, beginning in Martinsville, Virginia, with moves to Wilmington, Delaware, and finally to Kinston, North Carolina. His engineering mind was never idle; his ingenuity was recognized with the prestigious DuPont Engineering Excellence Award and a U.S. patent. But his true passion was nurturing the next generation of innovators. For over 17 years, he was the heart and soul of the Zimanators, a FIRST Robotics team at Swansboro High School. As one student reflected, "Mr. Plasky has inspired not just me, but many other robotics members during his time as a mentor. When watching him help out a student, you can truly see the care he takes in teaching the younger generation. He provides professional and practical knowledge when others just can't see it. He always pushes us to do our best and be our best at all times.” True to that spirit, he personally presented the Joseph G. Plasky Robotics Scholarship each year, investing directly in the futures he helped build. https://community.firstinspires.org/peopleofsteam-meet-joe
Joe’s engineer’s mind was matched by a historian’s heart. He lovingly documented the world around him, publishing nostalgic tales of his childhood in Goldenseal Magazine and preserving the legacy of DuPont by recording over 280 oral histories for the Hagley Museum. https://digital.hagley.org/2010215 His most monumental historical contribution is a 993-page chronicle of the volunteers at UNC Health Lenoir, where he himself logged thousands of hours since 2000, eventually serving as President of the Volunteer Auxiliary. Even during the pandemic, when he couldn't be inside, he found a way to connect, earning the affectionate nickname “The Muffin Man” for his regular deliveries of from scratch blueberry muffins to the nursing staff. His years of dedication led to his induction into the hospital’s “Hall of Honor” on September 6, 2025.
If you knew our Dad—really knew him—you know that his greatest title was "Girl Dad." He was our most incredible listener (he had to be, with four daughters), our master problem-fixer (there were many), and our gentle debater who taught us to think critically and live humbly. In retirement, our Dad and Mom embarked on the global adventures they had always dreamed of, cruising through the canals of Europe, exploring the islands of Tahiti, and marveling at the glaciers of Alaska, creating a lifetime of memories together. He wanted us to see the world and showed us history and fun from the Winnebago up and down I-95. Later it became the piazzas of Rome, where after an al fresco dinner that lasted for hours, we each took turns dancing with him in the cobblestone streets past midnight. He taught us not to aimlessly walk through our lives, but to dance through them with love, to use our talents fully, and to give back generously—a life of purpose and joy that has become his everlasting legacy.
The Plasky girls wish to thank Dr. Sophia Nguyen of ECU Health for her outstanding commitment to our family. To Dad’s nurses, we will never forget you and we will never be able to sufficiently thank Dr. Clifton and her dedicated team at The Service League Hospice House in Greenville.
The family will receive friends for a time of Visitation and a Rosary service on Thursday, October 9th, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Kinston (400 Academy Heights Rd). The Visitation begins at 5:00 p.m., followed by the Rosary at 7:00 p.m.
A Funeral Mass will be held several weeks later on Friday, November 14th, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul's Catholic Church in New Bern (3005 Country Club Rd). Following the Mass, the Rite of Committal and interment will take place in the St. Paul's columbarium.
True to his lifelong commitment to fostering the next generation, donations may be made to Joseph G. Plasky Robotics Scholarship c/o Mr. Marc Sachdev, 8 Wedgewood Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27514. This fund directly supports the student innovators he so cherished.
