RICHMOND, Sept. 22 – Joseph A. Weinberg, 86, of Richmond, passed away on Sunday, September 20, 2009.

Son of the late Emanuel and Esther Weinberg of Farmville, Mr. Weinberg was born on July 7, 1923. He served in the United States Army Air Force during WWII and was stationed at Amendola Airbase in Foggia, Italy. Piloting the B-17 “Flying Fortress,” he flew combat missions with the 2nd Bombardment Group, 96th Squadron of the 15th Air Force. After the war, he served as one of Virginia's first recruiters for the Air Force Academy and retired from the Army Air Force Reserves at the rank of Major.

Mr. Weinberg was a graduate of the University of Virginia with a degree in Business Administration. In Farmville, he owned and operated a number of retail businesses including The Hub, Esther May Shoppe, and The Squire Shop. He was a longtime board member of Central Fidelity Bank and also active with the Freemasons, the Scottish Rite, and the Shriners service organizations.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Charlotte Bloom Weinberg; daughter, Marcia; sons, Jeffrey, Howard, and Marc; and four grandchildren, Alison, Eric, Rachel, and Emily.

Services were held Tuesday (today) at the of Richmond Beth-El Cemetery at Forest Lawn.

Contributions can be sent to Beth Sholom Lifecare Community, Richmond.

Bliley Funeral Home, Richmond, served the family.