Joseph London, Jr.

J. G. “Joe” London, former Monroe County Fire Marshal passed away on May 30, 2015 from a long-term illness. Joe was the first Fire Marshal of the Florida Keys hired in 1985, a position he served with courtesy and commitment for over 17 years.  Joe is survived by his wife Priscilla London, and eleven children, including Debbie, Mike, Mark, John, James, Jeffrey, Richard, Todd London, Dawn Blanchard, Suzanne Patterson, and Tracey Sepi; his step-children James and Samuel Teasdale; 22 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

Joe London was raised in Miami, played high school basketball, graduated from Miami Edison in 1953. Joe was a fireman, fire inspector & fire marshal with North Miami Beach until his second career in the mid 70’s of building construction and development.

In 1985 he became the Monroe County Fire Marshal where he modernized the County fire service, enforcing fire codes; including fire department access, water supply, fire department hook-ups and sprinkler systems. When Joe became the Fire Rescue Director in 1989 he standardized fire equipment, provided fire hydrant systems, promoted firefighter safety through training, hazardous material response, arson task forces and certification of volunteer firefighters for career service.  He developed a fire facility plan prior to retirement in 2002. His final building project was a training facility aptly named “Joe London Fire Rescue Training Facility” as requested by the Fire Chief’s Association.

Funeral Services will be held at the Matecumbe United Methodist Church MM 81.5, On Tuesday, June 9, 2015, at 2:00 pm.