A man with many passions — his family, his friends, baseball as well as building and fixing things — Joe Anastasi was quick to laugh, ready to lend a hand and always willing to provide sage counsel on any of life’s challenges. He was a good man who was loved by his family and friends and touched many with his kindness and generosity.

Joseph Anthony Anastasi, Jr., of Langley, Whidbey Island, died on the evening of Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013, after a battle with multiple myeloma. Born in 1941, he was 71.

Joe was an involved dad to his five children, coaching soccer and Little League and taking his family on frequent camping trips to Deception Pass, the Cascade Mountains and other areas around Puget Sound. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed an annual weeklong hunting trip with friends and family to the Republic area of Eastern Washington to set up an elaborate campsite, play practical jokes and party with the pretext of stalking deer amidst snow-covered foothills.

An active member of the Langley United Methodist Church, he served on the board and was always a willing volunteer and supporter to the congregants. He also served as the president of the Whidbey Shores neighborhood association and as a volunteer for Hearts & Hammers, a nonprofit group.

Joe was a sales-focused engineer throughout the majority of his career, a representative for companies selling industrial equipment to factories, mills and water plants. With a partner, he formed his own company, APSCO, selling and installing industrial-sized pumps and compressors to municipalities and private companies across western states.

Later, he was director of facilities for the South Whidbey School District, and a contracted project manager, overseeing the building of a water plant in Wrangell, Alaska as well as in Wilbur, Wash. At his death he was managing the building of a new headquarters facility and main base for Island Transit in Coupeville.

Joe is survived by his brother Richard, West Depford, N.J.; children Debbie Anastasi Black, Snohomish, Wash.; Michael, Buckley, Wash.; Kelli Doherty, Leavenworth, Wash.; Nora and Emma, Langley, Wash.; and the children’s mothers, Jayne, Mukilteo, Wash. and Carrie Carpenter, Langley, Wash.; two nieces and nine grandchildren.

A memorial service is planned at Langley United Methodist Church in Langley, Whidbey Island, Wash., at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 6.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to Central Whidbey State Parks, c/o Central Whidbey State Park, 1280 Engle Road, Coupeville, Wash. 98239.