Joseph Arthur “Joe” Esty of Chelsea, Michigan, formerly of Ann Arbor, Livonia, Princeton, NJ, and Del Ray, FL, passed away Monday, January 5th, 2026, at the age of 88, at the Chelsea Retirement Community in Kresge. He was born June 28th, 1937, in Plainfield, NJ, the son of Dr. Geoffrey and Valerie (Wrightmyer) Esty.
Joe went to George School Preparatory, a Quaker school in Newtown, PA, and earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Union College in NY, in 1959. Joe worked as a Civil Engineer Manager for Pennwalt Wallace and Tiernan for 37 years. He was a member of the Universalist Unitarian Church of Farmington, Ann Arbor, and Boca Raton. Joe was an avid Detroit and Michigan sports fan. He loved playing tennis, hiking in the Everglades, bicycling, and running, and enjoyed traveling with his wife Gail. He also enjoyed playing guitar with his son, Geoff, for family and friends, and at open-mic nights throughout the area, under the name Joe Troubadour.
Joe married Gail Disbrow Hartman on September 5th, 1959. She preceded him in death on August 13th, 2025. He is survived by his sons, David (Michele) Esty of Blissfield, and Geoffery Arthur Esty of Ann Arbor; his grandsons, Kyle (Mickey) Esty, Derek Esty, and Andrew (Alexandra) Esty; his great-grandson, Oliver Esty; and his brother, Jon (Rosemary) Esty.
A memorial service for Joe and Gail will be held Sunday, March 8, 2026, 1 p.m. at the Chelsea Retirement Community in the All-Seasons Room, with Chaplain Elisabeth Seymour officiating. The family will receive friends before the service from 12:30 - 1p.m.
You can use the form below to share a memory or leave a public message for Joe's family. Please allow 24 hours for us to review and post your comment.
Comments
world- we shared camping trips, parties,, church, love grief and fun times for over 50 years. They will be missed.
Phyllis Swonk
I believe that we carry a piece of those we have known in all we do. I hope it brings some peace to David and Geoff that I will carry the color they added what is too often a dim world with me and spread it in my actions. Be kind; pay it forward. That is what Joe and Gail were to me.