CROGHAN, NY ~ Joseph M. Anderson, Sr., 78, of 9747 NYS Rt. 812, Croghan, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 18, 2012, with his loving wife at his side at Samaritan Medical Center, Watertown, where he had been admitted the previous day.

Born September 8, 1934, in Utica, NY, a son of Frederick C. and Florence Beck Anderson, he attended Fr. Leo Memorial School in Croghan, and later received his G.E.D. from Beaver River Central School.

He married Norma J. Ager on January 19, 1957, at St. Peter’s Church in Lowville, with Msgr. Cotter, officiating.

A veteran of the Korean Conflict era, he entered the US Air Force in 1951, and was stationed at Sampson AFB, Chanute AFB, and also served in Japan. He was honorably discharged from active duty in 1955, and from the Air Force Reserves on September 30, 1959, as an Airman 1st Class.

He began a career with Latex Fibre Industries in Beaver Falls in 1955, and retired as a Lab Technician in their Quality Control Department in 1999, after 44 years of service.

For over 30 years, Joe also served as the Croghan Village Clerk and worked at the Croghan K of C Bowling Alley.

Joe was a communicant of St. Stephen’s Church, Croghan, 4th Degree Member of Knights of Columbus, 699 Bishop Conroy Assembly, Watertown, Beaver River Memorial Post 1663 American Legion in Croghan, and a former member of the Croghan Volunteer Fire Department.

Surviving besides his wife of 55 years, are his six children including his son, Joseph M., Jr. and wife Shelly (Streeter) Anderson, Jr., of Croghan; five daughters, Joan M. and husband Wayne Houppert, Susan J. and husband Vern Zehr, and Mary E. and husband Phillip Taylor, all of Beaver Falls, Nancy A. and husband Rick Martin, of New Bremen, and Patty L. and husband Douglas Raymond, of East Syracuse; 18 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren; a brother, Frederick C. Anderson, of Port Leyden, and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a son, Gary J. Anderson, who died in infancy in 1963, a daughter, Becky L. Anderson, who died in 2001, a great grandson, Evan Zehr, who died in 1995, and a brother, Morgan F. Anderson, who died in 2002.

Joe’s funeral will be held on Friday, beginning with a 10: 15 a.m. Prayer Service at the funeral home, followed by an 11:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial from St. Stephen’s Catholic Church, Croghan, with the Reverends Daniel L. Chapin, Pastor of St. Stephen’s, and Stephen R. Rocker, Pastor of St. James Church in Gouverneur, NY, concelebrating. Burial with military honors will be in St. Stephen’s Cemetery, Croghan.

Calling hours will be from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Thursday at Scanlon Funeral Home, 9791 Main St., Croghan.

Memorial contributions may be made to either the American Cancer Society, Memorial Processing Center, 6725 Lyons St., P.O. Box 7, East Syracuse, NY 13057, or the National Multiple Sclerosis Resources of Central New York, 6743 Kinne St., East Syracuse, NY 13057.

“Joe”, “Daddy” and “Grampa” will be greatly missed by his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

To view Joe’s online obituary or leave a message of sympathy, please visit www.scanlonfuneral.com.

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