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Clifton Springs - Joseph H. Carver, 93, of Clifton Springs, passed away peacefully on July 14, 2013 with family by his side, knowing that he would soon be reunited in heaven with his sweetheart. Please join the family for calling hours at R A Patrick Funeral Home , 26 West Main Street, Clifton Springs, N.Y. on Saturday (July 20, 2013) from 11:30 to 1:30. Funeral services will be held 1:30 at The United Methodist Church, Main Street, Clifton Springs. A Military burial will be held at Riverview Cemetery immediately following the service.
The family requests contributions be made in lieu of flowers to the Clifton Springs Alumni Association or the Phelps American Legion. They would like to thank the wonderful staff on 1400 at Clifton Springs Hospital for their incredible compassion and care. They would also like to thank the staff at Ashton Place for making it feel as close to home as possible. He loved you all.
Joe was born in Clifton Springs on March 4, 1920, to Joseph C and Gladys L. Carver. He graduated from Clifton Springs as Valedictorian of his class and attended Hobart in Geneva for one year before transferring to Fenn College in Ohio to study Aeronautical Engineering. He was there for about 1 1/2 years when he and several of his buddies hatched a plan to join The Royal Canadian Air Force. He was the only one of the group to show up, beginning his very honorable 22 year career as a military pilot, first in the Royal Canadian Air Force, then the US Air Army Force. It was on the streets of Toronto during the parade to send the troops off that he met his sweetheart, Evelyn Younger, when he pulled her from the sidelines to march along beside him. They were married on December 11, 1943, after 3 dates, for a wonderful 68 years having their 4 children in 4 different states as they moved about for Joe's military career. Joe fought in WWll flying a B-25 in Northeast Africa. While recovering from a burn accident in North Africa, he respectfully declined a Purple Heart saying that he didn't feel he deserved it as his injury was not received during combat. He served during the Korean War as a reserve officer in Alaska supplying the Aleution Chain and finally one year in Vietnam as a helicopter instructor training Vietnamese pilots. Joe retired from the Air Force in 1964 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He moved his family from California to Clifton Springs so that they could be closer to family, buying the house on Kendall Street which they lovingly and proudly restored. His civilian work history includes 5 years at General Dynamics as Quality Control Supervisor, and 10 years as Ontario County's Environmental Coordinator. He then spent many many years enjoying his family, gardening, reading, genealogy, with the "Old Scutters" having daily coffee and corresponding with the many friends he had met along his journey. He belonged to many organizations over the years including Clifton Springs Library Board; the Republican Committee ; The Clifton Springs Historical Society ,The Phelps American Legion and the Clifton Springs Alumni Association. Joe will be fondly remembered for his wonderful sense of humor, his great affection for playing practical jokes and of course Joe's most famous legacy of how he " buzzed" his beloved Clifton Springs as he and his crew headed off to England, flying his B-25 a harrowing 100 feet above ground tipping his wings to "say goodbye." His father wrote him a letter saying "Half the town was for you, and the other half against you. I advise you never to do that again."
Surviving Joe are his children, Joseph Jr. (Ginger) Carver, Nancy ( Bob) Thornton, Eleanor "Nony" Schoonerman, and Vicki ( John) Elleman; also surviving are his grandchildren, to which he leaves countless memories and laughter, Joseph Bryan Carver, Sarah, Ethan and Matthew Thornton, Terron, Storm (Jen), Jade and Jared Schoonerman, and David, Dana and Max Elleman; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Joe was predeceased by his wife Evelyn, in 2012; and his sister Eleanor "Nony "Schmidt.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
3 Entries
Dear Nancy, What a beautiful tribute in an obituary! I have never read such a wonderful life story and love story! Wonderful memories for you all to cherish! I'm sure your Mom, his wife is waiting in Heaven with open arms to be reunited again with the love of her life as well! God bless you all and take comfort that your Dad is a legacy that will live on, is at peace and in the loving arms of his wife and our Lord!
Lisa Burns
July 18, 2013
With sympathy to the family. Though never met in person but through Carver genealogy connection many years ago. A clerk in New York directed us to the Longwell book by the late Mr. Longwell (four Carvers married four Longwells) and believe your father contacted me. For many years he sent information to me and things to my husband of magazines, etc. in which he had an interest.
Remembering a special Carver relative, though somewhat distant relationship,
Ron and Elizabeth May
Toledo, Ohio
Elizabeth May
July 18, 2013
Nancy and family,
Your father sounded like a wonderful man. I love the bit about buzzing Clifton Springs in his plane and his fathers response to that, and pulling your mom off the street and marrying her after 3 dates! I am sure he will be missed greatly.
Cyndie
July 17, 2013
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Funeral services provided by:
R.A. Patrick Funeral Home - Clifton Springs26 West Main street, Clifton Springs, NY 14432
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