Joseph A. Sparnroft Jr.

1939 - 2022

Staten Island native; retired FDNY Lieutenant, loving family man Joseph A. Sparnroft Jr. (George) passed away peacefully on October 1, 2022. George, son of Genevieve Roxland (nee Dowd) was born April 21, 1939 & raised on Staten Island. He attended St. Mary's school & McKee High School. George started his working career at the Paramount Theater & Sun Chemical (Ansbacher-Siegle). George was a dedicated member of the FDNY. His career started as a firefighter assigned to Engine 17 (Manhattan) from 1964-1978. He was later promoted to Lieutenant of Engine 204 (Brooklyn) where he served from 1978-1982 up to his retirement. During his FDNY career, George served his city by saving many lives & maintained his heart for the FDNY. After retirement, he worked at H.S. Farrell Lumber Yard. George's happiest moments were spent with his children & grandchildren attending many sporting events/activities & being their biggest fan. He served as a Director of the McKee H.S. Seagulls Ice Hockey team where his son played. In his spare time, George enjoyed crossword puzzles, gardening, completing odd jobs around his home & helping his neighbors. George also enjoyed vacationing in Wildwood Crest, NJ & Lancaster PA. George is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Lillian Sparnroft (nee Petrak), his 4 loving children Ronald (Denise), Robert (Kathleen), Lauren Ferrara (Paul) & Karen Delahanty (Louis). He is also survived by his 12 grandchildren & 13 great grandchildren, sister Doris Serio (Fred), brother Charles Roxland (Kevin), sister-in-law Anna Petrak, as well as many nieces & nephews. George was preceded in death by his loving mother & will be sorely missed by his loving family & friends. George will be waked at Hanley Funeral Home, Staten Island on Wednesday, October 5th from 3 to 8 pm. Funeral will be held on Thursday, October 6th at St. Christopher's Church at 10:30 am, followed by burial at Moravian Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Shriners Hospitals for Children would be greatly appreciated.