Joseph J. Master

October 8, 1923 - June 1, 2008

Joseph J. Master, 84, DeLand, Florida, died June 1, 2008. Memorial services will be held at St Peter's Catholic Church, DeLand, Florida at 10 a.m. on June 7, 2008. A reception will follow the service at Stetson University Lynn Business School.

Joe is survived by his wife, Joan; his daughter, Jan Tomlinson Master and her children, Jenai Baillie Master, Joel Master Kollinger and Michelle Grace Master, St. Augustine; his stepsons, Scott Popilek and his wife, Michelle, and their children, Madelyn and Gavin, MelBourne, Brian Popilek and his wife, Michelle, and their children, Katelyn, Amanda and Josh, Stuart, Steve Popilek and his wife, Mary and their children, James and Steven, St. Petersburg; his granddaughter, Jessica Dorroll, Tennessee; and "puppies" Duke, Tiffany and Maggie. Joe was predeceased by his daughter, Pamela Selene Master.

A veteran of World War II, Joe was awarded three purple hearts during his combat service. He came to Florida following the war to continue his education receiving his bachelor of arts in history from Rollins College. After five years in the broadcasting industry, Joe decided on a career change into accounting, receiving his Bachelors of Business Administration in accounting and Master of Arts in economics from Stetson University. He continued with graduate studies from the University of Florida where he was a professor of accounting.

In 1964 Joe began his distinguished service at Stetson University teaching in the accounting department. Joe became chair of the accounting department in 1967 and began developing what became a premier accounting program helping to train hundred's of Florida's and the nation's top accountants. Among his many professional honors, Joe was the 1978 recipient of Stetson University's McEniry Award for Excellence in Teaching, the highest honor Stetson bestows on active faculty, the first recipient of the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountant's Outstanding Accounting Educator Award in 1985 and was awarded the Stetson University Distinguished Alumni Award in 1992. In 1994, Joe was appointed treasurer of Stetson's Board of Trustees and a year later became the first faculty member ever elected to voting Board membership. In 1995 he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Stetson and was appointed Professor of Accounting, Emeritus.

Joe has served as president and vice president of the West Volusia Committee of 100 and as an officer of the Stetson Business School Foundation. A business partner in varied ventures, Joe also served as a consultant to various businesses and individuals domestically and internationally. Joe was active as a trustee on the Bert Fish Foundation since 1991, serving as treasurer and executive vice-president. He was a Certified Public Accountant and partner in the firm bearing his name, Joseph Master & Company, CPAs, DeLand, Florida.

Memorial donations may be made to the Joe Master Life Endowed Challenger Scholarship at Office of Development, Stetson University, 421 North Woodland Boulevard, Unit 8286, DeLand, Florida 32723 or St. Peters Catholic Church, 359 West New York Avenue, DeLand, Florida 32720. We invite you to sign the Guest Book maintained by the Daytona Beach News Journal.