Joseph Leo Tierney III was born August 26, 1938 in Bronxville, NY to Joseph L. Tierney, Jr. and Grace (Scholl) Tierney. He died peacefully surrounded by his family on March 18, 2017. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Madeleine (Hood) Tierney, four children: M. Jordan Tierney (Molly McGrath), Michael J. Tierney (Janet McQuilkin), Brian P. Tierney (Cathleen Gillen), and James C. Tierney (Allyson Grotsky). He had seven grandchildren: Delilah (Jordan), Catie and Chris (Mike), Grace and Meaghan (Brian) and Arden and Porter (Jim). He was predeceased by both parents and by his younger brothers Bill (2004) and Pete (2010).

Joe graduated from Brooklyn Preparatory School (1956), and was awarded a BA in English (1960) from St. Bonaventure University, and an LL.B (1963) from St. John's University. He was admitted to practice in the State of New York in 1965, and before the Supreme Court of the United States in 1970. He served in the U.S. Army (Captain, Artillery) 1963 - 1965 when he was discharged and entered service as a Special Agent of the FBI. He served in Memphis, TN, Newport News, VA, and Washington, DC, in both the Field Office and at FBI Headquarters. He retired after almost 25 years in 1989 and was then employed in the private sector until he retired completely in 2004.

He belonged to the Sailing Club of the Chesapeake, where he served as Commodore, and to the Magothy River Sailing Association, where he supported the Junior Sail Training Program. He also belonged to the FBI Agents' Association and to the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI.

Joe enjoyed sailing on the Chesapeake, good friends, and good, intelligent conversation. In the end, he appreciated most his 54 happy years with Madeleine, and he most enjoyed the fact that his children and his grandchildren all truly enjoyed each other's company.

Family and friends may visit on Wednesday, March 22, 2017 from 4 pm -7 pm at Barranco & Sons, P.A. Severna Park Funeral Home, 495 Ritchie Hwy, in Severna Park. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Thursday, March 23, 2017 at 11:30 am in St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, 689 Ritchie Hwy, Severna Park, MD 21146. Interment will be held on Friday, March 24 ^th at 11:00 am in Lakemont Memorial Gardens in Davidsonville, MD.

In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to the American Cancer Society and the Parkinson's Disease Foundation.

Online condolences may be made at www.barrancofuneralhome.com