Joseph K. Dundon, 79, passed away peacefully on Aug. 16 in his home with his wife Viki by his side. Together they shared 54 years of marriage, filling their lives with friendships and hospitality. He was a husband, father, grandfather, mentor, and friend, and all will miss his warmth, wit, and charm.

Born October 13, 1943, Mr. Dundon grew up on Vera Street in Dorchester’s Codman Hill neighborhood, the only child of the late Joseph Michael and Pauline (Farrell) Dundon. A graduate of Boston Latin School, an usher at Harvard football games, an amateur radio broadcaster, and occasional assistant in the Post Office where his father was a supervisor, he was a consummate Red Sox and Bruins fan, and rooted for both teams through thick and thin to the very end.

While he spent the greater part of his life in Indiana, he never forgot his Boston roots, accent, or driving habits.

Mr. Dundon went to South Bend in 1961 to study medicine at Notre Dame, but later changed majors and graduated with a BA in English and Communications.

After graduation, he dated Viki, the daughter of his landlord who lived in the house next door. They were married on Aug. 16, 1969 and Joe survived long enough to celebrate one last anniversary 54 years to the day with Viki, his best pal and the love of his life. They were blessed with two children, Therese (John) Mellor of South Bend and Kathleen (Liza) Everett of Avon, Indiana and four grandchildren: Paul, Elizabeth, and Grace Mellor, and Kaylor Everett.

Joe spent his entire professional career at the Notre Dame TV station WNDU., first as an advertising copywriter and later as an account executive where he, in his own words, “sold air.” There are few places in South Bend that are unfamiliar with the generosity of Joe Dundon’s spirit. He was a fixture at WNDU until 1999 when he retired to care for his father and enjoy life as a grandpa.

While at WNDU, Joe was an advisor for the Junior Achievement Company “Beyond Our Control” – a local television program written, acted, produced, and directed by high school students from the area. After retirement, Joe stayed busy with travel across the US and around the world, and spent the winter months in Venice, Florida where Joe volunteered as a docent for the Circus Train Museum between Red Sox spring training games. While in South Bend, Joe spent time at both Holy Cross Church and Clay Church in service, men’s groups, bible study, and Trivia Night events where his teams finished in second place too many times to count.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated this Saturday (Aug. 26) at Holy Cross Church in South Bend.