Joseph Basar

Joseph F. Basar, 87, passed lovingly into God's arms on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, in Hope Hospice, Fort Myers, Fla.

He was born in the Hanover Green section of Hanover Township on March 19, 1938, to the late Mike and Mary Basar. Growing up in tough, but good times, he was one of 10 brothers and sisters (Michael, Martin, Thomas, Ted, John, Ann, Dolores, Mary and Jean).

As a youngster, Joe developed a notoriously strong work ethic, delivering newspapers for many years, and working at the local farms, picking produce during the harvest. In 1956, he graduated from Hanover High School, got married to Catherine Zizzo Basar and then left the area for the bright lights of New York City. He enlisted with the United States Marine Reserves for six years, before becoming a detective with the New York City Police Department, where he retired after 20 years of public service. Retirement dawned a new chapter for Joe's life. He traveled west to California and opened a home repair business. After a decade in California, and upon meeting his cherished Carol, they decided to make a new start in the sunshine state. Joe and Carol made a beautiful home together in Fort Myers, enjoying their golden years under the always-sunny Floridian skies until his passing. Joe will always be remembered for his kindness and warm smile, hearty laugh, generosity, love of music and his life-long intellectual pursuit of American politics.

He is lovingly remembered by his companion of 25 years, his beloved Carol Parkes, of Fort Myers, Fla.; four children, Cathy Lee Zizzo, Joe Basar, Stephen Basar and Annmarie Martin; his twin brother, John (Toni); his sister, Jean Dadurka; numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews; sisters-in-law, Leona Basar and Joan Basar; and stepchildren, Angela and Sal.

Family and friends are invited to attend Joe's Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday in Exaltation of the Holy Cross Church, 420 Main Road, Hanover Township. Friends and family are asked to go directly to the church on Thursday. Entombment of cremains will be private at a later date in the mausoleum in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Township.