Final Salute

Joseph C. Horstkamp, age 80, of Manassas, VA, passed away peacefully on June 12, 2026. He was born March 14, 1946 in Atlanta, GA to the late Dorothy Sims and John Michael Horstkamp, and will be remembered for his unwavering faith, generous heart, and deep love for his family and friends. He fought a brave battle in his final weeks and inspired all who knew him with his strength, grace, and trust in God.

The third of six children, Joe attended St. James Catholic School in Falls Church, where he also served as an altar boy, as well as Bishop O’Connell High School and George Mason High School, where he graduated in 1964. Faith remained at the center of Joe’s life. As a parishioner of All Saints Catholic Church in Manassas, Joe dedicated countless hours as a member of the Knights of Columbus, the church softball team, and as a C.C.D. teacher. He also served as a Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader.

A proud veteran, Joe served two tours in Vietnam with the U.S. Navy Seabees, carrying their motto, “Can Do!,” throughout his life. Between those tours, he met the love of his life, Elaine. He knew immediately she was ‘the one’ and proposed on their first date. She accepted his second proposal and they were married on April 11, 1969, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Rockville, MD, beginning a loving marriage that lasted more than 57 years.

Joe enjoyed a long career as an electrician and was recently honored for 60 years of membership with IBEW Local 26. He was also a member of Local 99 and took great pride in his trade.

Joe embraced life with curiosity, joy, and gratitude. He loved music, singing, dancing, and joke-telling, and rarely passed up an opportunity to enjoy these with others. He had a song for every occasion, and if he couldn’t think of a song he’d write one himself. He was an avid reader, a Civil War history enthusiast, and enjoyed canasta and puzzles of every kind. Playing the lottery was another source of entertainment, and in his final days he reminded his family to check the status of the church raffle tickets he bought with optimism every year. He found peace in nature and delighted in birdwatching, feeding the backyard squirrels, and searching for four-leaf clovers in the yard or shark teeth along the beach.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Elaine C. Horstkamp, their four children: Carl J. Horstkamp (wife, Kristy), Carolyn J. Crawford (husband, Greg), Laura E. Cullinane (husband, Luke), and John M. Horstkamp; his siblings: Mary Esau, Kathy Beach (husband, Dave), and William Horstkamp; 13 cherished grandchildren, and two precious great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brothers, John M. “Mike” Horstkamp, and Edward Horstkamp.

The family will receive friends at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 4101 Norbeck Road, Rockville, MD 20853 on Tuesday, June 23rd from 11 am to 12 noon where Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12 noon. Interment will follow at Parklawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Battlefield Trust, https://www.battlefields.org/give, or to a cause of your choice. Whether exploring the outdoors or sharing stories around a table, Joe found happiness in the moments spent with family and friends. He will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered by all whose lives he touched.

“May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”