Photo Courtesy of Sally Kemp Kingston

Joseph C. Kemp Jr. (1938-1997) was the son of Isabella McColgan and Joseph C. Kemp, Sr. and the grandson of Mary Jane Tinneny and John P. McColgan of Greenock, Scotland and Philadelphia.  His great-grandparents were Yankee Pat Tinneny of Goladuff, County Fermanagh, Ireland and Margaret Malloy.

After attending Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia, Joe joined the United States Coast Guard in 1956.  Following basic training at the Coast Guard Training Center at Cape May New Jersey he was assigned to a base along the northeastern coast of the United States for the remainder of his 4 year active duty enlistment.  He remained in the inactive reserve until 1962 at which time he received his final discharge from the service.  In joining the sea going forces he followed in the footsteps of both his father and his uncle Ed McColgan both of whom served in the Navy during World War II.  He was raised along with his sisters Sally and Peggy in the East Falls section of Philadelphia.  Following his service in the Navy, Joe spent many years working for the Tasty Baking Company – makers of Philadelphia’s legendary Tastykakes.