Obituary of Joseph E. Walsh, Sr.

Joseph E. (Joe) Walsh Sr. Endicott: Joseph (Joe) E. Walsh, Sr. born July 15, 1930 of Endicott, NY (originally of Minooka, PA) was received into the loving embrace of our Lord on June 19, 2011 surrounded by his family following a two month illness. For 31 years, Joe taught 6th grade in the Union-Endicott School District beginning at Broad Street school, continuing on to the Henry B. Endicott and Charles F. Johnson schools and ending his career at the Ann G. McGuinness school in 1989. Joe graduated from Scranton Tech High School in 1948 where he was Senior Class President. Following high school, he served as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force from 1951 to 1955. And following his military service, Joe enrolled in and graduated (with honors) from East Stroudsburg State Teacher's College in Stroudsburg, PA. Joe was married to the late Genevieve (Jeanne) Walsh (nee McAndrew - born Dunmore, PA and a 1951 graduate of the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing) for 36 years when she predeceased him following a lengthy bout with breast cancer in 1993. Joe was an active member of various organizations including Our Lady of Good Counsel Roman Catholic Church, the Endicott American Legion, Post 1700 and The West-Endicott Volunteer Fire Department where he served as Fire Commissioner for more than 20 years. As an avid vegetable gardener, Joe was known throughout the land for his prized tomato and garlic harvests. Joe leaves behind five children and their spouses, Maureen E. and Rocky S. Oppito (Endicott), Joseph E. Jr. and Joan Walsh (St. Louis, MO), Brian J. (and the late Jamie) Walsh (St. Louis, MO), Genevieve K. (formerly Ketchum) and Peter J. Kermidas (Endicott), and Kathleen B. and Anthony R. Quaranta (Apalachin, NY). He also leaves behind 17 grandchildren, Robert, Mandy (Randis), Joseph and Melyssa Oppito, Joseph E., III and Grace Walsh, Ryan, Christopher, Michael, Brendan and Justin Ketchum, John and Daniel Kermidas and Anthony, Bridget, Edward and Nicholas Quaranta; as well as four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters, Helen (and the late Jack) May (Scranton, PA) and Mary (and Jack) Gower (Rockville, MD); two brothers and their wives, John and Cathy Walsh (Clarks Summit, PA) and Jerome and Nancy Walsh (Scranton, PA); two brothers-in-law, James J. (and the late Betty) McAndrew of Endicott and Edward and Norma McAndrew of Liberty, NY; three sisters-in-law, Irene and Walter Kunz of Dunmore, PA, Terry and Al Kresge of Tannersville, PA and Maureen and David Knoll of Belmont, MI; as well as nearly 60 nieces and nephews. Whether as the result of his travels the world over or from holding court on his beloved front porch, Joe was blessed to have amassed a vast and diverse collection of friends - each of whom greatly enriched his life and made it full. Joe was passionate about teaching and he derived immense pride and satisfaction from shaping and positively influencing the lives of so many of his students. He was reputed as a challenging, well-disciplined, fair and compassionate teacher who inspired his students to pursue their dreams and, along the way, demonstrate integrity and genuine regard for others. Shortly before his retirement, Joe received national recognition for his significant contributions as an educator. Joe's greatest pleasure and satisfaction in life, however, came from his lifelong romance with his beloved wife Jeanne (whom he missed dearly every day following her death) and the absolute joy brought to him through the pursuits and activities of his children and grandchildren. With grandchildren, Joe came to be known throughout his family as "Papa" - a name and title he cherished for its warmth and unmistakably high stature. Joe was a pious man and he lived each day as an unwavering and faithful steward in service to his faith. Family and friends are invited to call at Coleman & Daniels Funeral Home, 300 East Main Street, Endicott, NY on Thursday, June 23, 2011, from 4 - 8 p.m. and a Catholic Mass of Christian burial will follow on Friday, June 24, 2011, at 9:30 a.m. from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church - Endicott. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the "Genevieve K. and Joseph E. Walsh, Sr." Scholarship Fund c/o Visions Federal Credit Union, 24 McKinley Avenue, Endicott, NY 13760. The fund has been established by the family to assist deserving, local high school graduates pursuing professional careers in the fields of nursing and education.