Joseph M. Berta

Joe was a student at UCSB in the 60s. My father, Clayton Wilson, was a professor of Music there, teaching oboe and other woodwinds. The attached photo shows my father and Joe rehearsing at the Bear Valley Music Festival in the summer of 1973 or 1974. The pianist, if I remember and spell her name correctly, is Marilyn Truchon Uusitalo. I enjoyed turning pages for her during their performance of the Mozart Piano Quintet K. 452. Joe was a good friend of the family, a wonderful guy, and my...

Joe and I taught music and economics in Vienna in the fall of 1980. It was a beautiful way to meld two disciplines that are not often thought of together. We remained good friends for over 40 years. Monika and I shall miss his smile.

My family was so sad to hear of Joe's sudden passing. My father, Lindsay (1912-2014), was a colleague of Joe's at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in the 1970's and would fondly recall both their time as fellow professors and their association as the Berta-Lafford Duo. Besides local recitals in upstate New York, they appeared on tour in Florida and California and produced an LP record of their work. Dad spoke in the highest regard of Joe, both as a fellow musician and as a friend, a fact...

From the Service Team at Cortese Ford you have our deepest condolences. Joe was always a pleasure to deal with and I enjoyed my talks with him about his career. He was considered a friend not just a customer at our Dealership.. you will be missed Joe!
Our Thoughts are with your family

My fondest memories of my Uncle Joe was when he would dress up as Santa Claus and drive me and my brothers around neighborhoods with pretty lights and decorations on Christmas Eve. He always came to visit as I was growing up. He made me laugh and had a smile that was happy and full of warmth. I will cherish and always remember the good times we all had. Loving memories of Uncle Joe will always be in my heart.

I will miss Joe. He was always smiling and very good natured. He made me feel welcomed and at home in the music department at HWS. My deepest sympathies to his family.

I was surprised and saddened by the news of Joe's sudden passing. I was a colleague of Joe's for over thirty years at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. I always enjoyed the times I worked with Joe on different Colleges' initiatives. He was a very thoughtful and pleasant colleague. And he brought wonderful music to our campus. My thoughts are with his family during this sad time.

I am very sorry for your loss. I worked with Joe at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. He was always a thoughtful and caring colleague. He will be missed.

So very Sorry to hear your loss!

Thoughts and prayers are with you

Leo Butera