We are saddened to inform you that Horizon Hobby’s President and CEO Joe Ambrose has passed away. The entire staff at BigSquidRC would like to give our deepest condolences to Joe’s family, as well as to the staff at Horizon. Joe was incredibly well regarded in our industry as a leader and visionary, we simply can’t imagine this hobby without him.
Joseph M. Ambrose, 61, of Mahomet, Illinois, formerly of Le Roy, Illinois, passed away Friday, January 4, 2019, at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana, Illinois.
His funeral service will be held at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, January 9, 2019, at Calvert-Belangee-Bruce Funeral Home, Le Roy, Illinois, with Deacon Gary Koerner officiating. Interment will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, Le Roy, Illinois. Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday, January 8, 2019, at the funeral home.
Joe was born July 28, 1957, in Peoria, Illinois, to Joseph J. and Charlotte M. Mittendorf Ambrose. He married Julianne Epperson on June 21, 1980, in Le Roy, Illinois.
He is survived by his loving wife in Mahomet and four children. Three sons, Joseph Jacob (Danielle) Ambrose of Champaign, Illinois, Benjamin Matthew Ambrose of St. Louis, Missouri, and Bradley Conard (Sarah) Ambrose of Boulder, Colorado; one daughter, Megan Leta (David) Jones of Washington, D.C.; eight grandchildren; one brother, James (Kathryn) Ambrose of Springfield, Illinois; and three sisters, Julie Ambrose of St. Charles, Illinois, Mary Ambrose of New York, New York, and Margaret Ambrose of Peoria, Illinois.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Gregory R. Ambrose.
Joe moved to Le Roy with his family in 1967, where he met his future wife, Julie, both graduated from Le Roy High School in 1975. He received a bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Illinois in 1979, a law degree from Indiana University in 1982, and a master’s in business administration from Northwestern University in 2001.
Joe first worked as a lawyer with Bane, Allison, & Saint in 1982, and later Saint & Ambrose, Hinshaw & Culbertson, and Costigan & Wollrab. He joined Horizon Hobby in 2006, and became C.E.O. in 2008.
Joe and Julie traveled frequently visiting 20 countries, Disney World, and their grandchildren. Joe loved motorcycles, readings, and spending time with friends and family.
He was a member of St. Mary Church in Downs, the Champaign Country Club, and the Board of Directors for First Busey Corporation.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Le Roy Education Advancement Foundation or Horizon Hobby’s Hobbies for Good.
To read more information on memorial services, click on This Link. You can also use this link to check out the Horizon Hobby’s Hobbies For Good charity.
