ESCHER

JOSEPH JAMES

Joseph James Escher, beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, mentor, and friend, passed into eternal life on Monday, July 13, 2026, in Roswell, Georgia.

Born on March 10, 1944, in Braddock, Pennsylvania, Joe was the son of Edward Samuel and Audrey Catherine Escher (Caughey).

Joe was a man who found joy in life's simple pleasures. He loved his family, his dogs, classic cars, the Pittsburgh Steelers, hunting, fishing, firearms, and collecting baseball cards and coins—though perhaps not always in that order. From an early age, Joe developed lifelong passions that would remain with him throughout his years. These interests were more than just hobbies; they reflected his patience, curiosity, and genuine appreciation for the things that brought him joy.

Hard work was instilled in Joe from a young age. He worked at a gas station and as a dishwasher at the Red Coach Inn, experiences that helped shape the strong work ethic, determination, and reliability that defined the man he became. Whether he was working with his hands, restoring a classic car, spending time outdoors, cheering on the Steelers, or enjoying the company of his family and dogs, Joe approached life with dedication and passion. He found meaning in simple pleasures and left a lasting impression on all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Joe's love for automobiles began long before he was old enough to drive. Before he turned 15, he secretly purchased a car and hid it in a garage so he could restore it in time to drive it on his 16th birthday. More than six decades later, that passion never faded. At the time of his passing, he was restoring a 1930 Ford Model A Tudor.

Joe graduated from Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, in 1962. He attended Penn State University before transferring to California State College in California, Pennsylvania, following his marriage to Diana.

Just before leaving for college, Joe met and began dating the love of his life, Diana Lucille LaMarca, a classmate. They were married on September 26, 1964, and shared nearly 56 wonderful years together. Family was always the center of Joe's life. In 1973, Joe and Diana moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where they spent more than five decades raising their family—first in East Cobb and later in Roswell.

Joe's life was defined by integrity, perseverance, and a commitment to his family and his profession. He began his career in the mechanical contracting industry in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, before relocating to Atlanta in 1973 with Sauer, Inc., where he supported industrial projects throughout the Southeast.

Recognizing Atlanta's tremendous growth and opportunity, Joe continued advancing his career with several national mechanical contracting firms expanding into the Southeast. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, his dedication, leadership, and reputation for honesty earned the respect of colleagues, customers, and peers across the industry.

In April 1990, Joe and Diana fulfilled a lifelong dream by founding E. Escher, Inc., a family-owned mechanical contracting company built upon the values they cherished most—honesty, quality, and hard work. The "E." in E. Escher proudly represents their three children: Elaine, Erica, and Edward (Max), reflecting the family's central role in everything Joe accomplished.

Under Joe's leadership, E. Escher, Inc. became one of Atlanta's most respected mechanical contracting companies, recognized for its quality craftsmanship, integrity, and commitment to excellence. Beyond the successful business he built, Joe will be remembered for his entrepreneurial spirit, drafting expertise, attention to detail, tireless work ethic, and the lasting relationships he cultivated with employees, customers, and those who had the privilege of working alongside him.

His legacy continues through his children, all of whom have served the company, with his son, E. Max Escher, leading as President since 2008. Joe took tremendous pride in working alongside Max and witnessing the next generation carry forward the company the family built together. He was also honored to see his third-generation grandchildren begin their early involvement with the business, gaining experience and working in the field.

Yet none of Joe's professional accomplishments compared to the joy he found in his family.

Diana was truly the love of Joe's life. Beyond her beauty and contagious laughter, her Italian cooking—made with love—was perhaps his favorite thing on earth. She brought light into his life. Together they loved to dance, travel, and spend time with family.

Their journey together was one of love and partnership. In their early years, they often struggled to make ends meet. Fifteen years into their marriage, they delivered newspapers to help pay for their children's sports and family vacations. After 26 years of marriage, they took the courageous leap of starting a business together, weathering every success and challenge side by side. They were an extraordinary couple and remained deeply grateful for the life they built together.

As a father, Joe believed his greatest responsibility was preparing his children for life. Honesty was always his number one rule. Whenever he wasn't traveling for work or under the hood of a car, he could be found cheering from the sidelines at his children's sporting events alongside Diana, although he was usually the quieter of the two. He loved thoughtful conversations, often asking questions simply because he genuinely cared. He also rarely ended a phone call with his children without saying, "I love you."

He also treasured Diana's large, loving Italian family and the countless memories they shared over the years. Following Diana's passing, Joe was especially grateful for the loving care his daughters, Elaine and Erica, provided. They found two remarkable caregivers, Cindy and Nancy, whose loyal friendship and compassionate care blessed Joe every day for nearly three years.

Joe was a devoted and proud grandfather to three beautiful grandchildren: Jacob Maximillian Escher (21), Reynolds Edward Escher (19), and Ella Francine Escher (16), children of E. Max and Dana Francine Escher. He and Diana rarely missed birthdays, sporting events, or opportunities to spend time with them. Joe believed each grandchild possessed the character and potential to make the world a better place, and he took immense pride in the remarkable young people they had become.

Although his family grieves his passing, they find comfort knowing Joe now rests in the loving embrace of his Heavenly Father and has been joyfully reunited with his beloved "Dee-Dee," Diana, and all those who went before him.

Until we see you again, Poppa. We love you. We miss you already. We will carry you in our hearts forever.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Edward Samuel and Audrey Catherine Escher; his beloved wife, Diana; his mother-in-law, Josephine Grace LaMarca; his brothers-in-law, Donald LaMarca (Betty), John LaMarca (Millie), and Eugene LaMarca; and his sister-in-law, Regina Johnson.

He is survived by his daughters, Elaine M. Escher and Erica Escher; his son, Edward "Max" Escher and his wife, Dana; his grandchildren, Jacob, Reynolds, and Ella Escher; his brother, Edward Dennis Escher and his wife, Joanne; his brother-in-law, Larry Johnson; his sister-in-law, Betty Jean LaMarca; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins; and his beloved English Cream Golden Retriever, Georgia.