Peter E. Joseph

Joseph, Peter E.

Peter Ephraim Joseph passed away Saturday, June 25th 2011 after a brief battle with pneumonia and cancer, with his wife of 53 years Bernice, daughter Nancy, son Michael, and their families by his side.

Peter was born at St Joseph's Hospital in Yonkers on March 20, 1931, and grew to attend St. Mary's School and Saunders High School. Upon graduation, Peter attended Westchester Community College, prior to his military service. In 1952, Peter completed basic training, leadership school and electronics training, and was sent to Okinawa, where he was stationed with the Army's 87th Ordinance Battalion, 16th Ordinance Company. Peter spent his tour as one of only five specialists repairing and maintaining the Army's largest anti-aircraft equipment, destined for duty in the Korean conflict, was promoted to Private First Class, and was honorably discharged from the military in 1954. On May 3rd 1958, Peter married Bernice Sheedy, also of Yonkers. Peter's career path took him to Consolidated Edison, where he used his engineering skills over 4 decades at multiple power generation and transmission facilities, including "Big Alice" on the East River and Indian Point. Throughout his life, Peter was devoted to his wife, his family, and fellow veterans. Peter and Bernice became the proud parents of two children, Michael William and Nancy Marie. Peter returned to school and graduated in 1976 from Manhattan College, which subsequently was also his daughter's alma mater. He actively participated in the sports and activities of his children often from behind the scenes. Peter spent over 40 years supporting those who served in the military by investing his time and energy in the Catholic War Veterans (CWV), the Yonkers Central Committee of Veterans Organizations (CCVO), and the American Legion. Peter was the chairman of the Annual Oratorical Competition of the Yonkers Memorial Day Committee for the past 28 years; a Dept. of NYS Vice Commander for the CWV, past Chairman of the CCVO, and volunteer for many veteran-focused event committees in Yonkers. Peter was also a planning board member of the "Color It Proud" program for the past 32 years, Chairman of the Americanism Award Committee for 2 score and 7 years, past Post Commander and Executive Committee member and Adjutant of the Bajart Post 1122, and member of the Executive Board of the Westchester American Legion. As recognition of his significant service and accomplishments within the community of war veterans, Peter was selected as a 2008 inductee into New York State's Veterans Hall of Fame, and honored by the Proclamation of a Peter Ephraim Joseph Day on June 29th, 2008, Peter is survived by his wife of 53 years Bernice (Sheedy) Joseph; daughter Nancy Parker and her family: Dean and daughters Olivia Skye and Sophia Noelle; son Michael and his family, Janet and son William Peter; sister-in-law Arleen (Sheedy) McLaughlin and her family: Roy and children Mitchell, Andrew John, Meredith, and Roy Douglas, and their spouses and 10 children; and brother-in-law Ronald Sheedy. Peter was pre-deceased by his brother-in-law John (Jack) Sheedy, sister Doris (Joseph) Reno, sister Agnes (Joseph) Parsons, and nephew Mark Parsons. Calling hours will be at Whalen and Ball funeral home, 168 Park Ave., Yonkers, on Tuesday from 2-4pm and from 7-9 pm . The funeral mass will be at 10 am at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church at 103 South Broadway in Yonkers, and will be immediately followed by the burial service at St. Mary's Cemetery on Cemetery Rd in Yonkers. In lieu of flowers, the family asks any contributions be provided to the American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund in his name, at http://www.legion.org/donate/legacy_scholarship or (317) 630-1203.

Peter - We will miss you, your smile, and your friendship. Go with God - Your family and friends