Joe Bania passed recently.

From the "Kiene's Fly Shop Facebook Group":

"We just received some sad news that one of Kiene's Fly Shop family members, Joe Bania, recently passed. Aside from being an incredible fly fishermen, Joe was renown for his philanthropy. Joe would stop by the shop on a regular basis to purchase items to personally donate to local youth organizations to encourage participation in our sport. He was also very active in CFFU and TU.

Joe is survived by his wife Barbara. Please do not try to contact her as she's in an assisted living facility.

Joe set an example in his life that hopefully others will follow."


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I will keep a look out for an obituary on Joe.

Joe would often come into Johnson's Bait & Tackle when I was running the fly shop in there too. He would always buy things to donate and came to several of our E.C.Powell Fly Club dinners just to give the stuff all away.

Nice old guy. Tony

Joe was a great man. When I began teaching fly tying he sat in on one of my classes and gave me great advice. He was incredibly generous. Him and his wonderful wife actually put a number of bright students through college. Joe was a literal genius, his work has had an impact on the world that most will never know as a good portion is classified. The world lost a great man. I will cherish the beautiful clouser on a mount he gifted me.