Joseph E. Farnan

Farnan, Joseph E. STILLWATER Joseph E. Farnan, 77, of Park Avenue, died Sunday morning in the safety and comfort of his home, after a long illness. Born in Glens Falls, September 11, 1930, son of the late Robert and Evelyn Baker Farnan, he was a Stillwater resident all his life. A 1947 graduate of Stillwater Central School, Joe was drafted into the US Air Force during the Korean War, and served as a flight medic in the Far East. After his return home, Joe graduated from SUNY Potsdam with a degree in education and received his masters degree in geology from Union College. An educator all his professional life, Joe served as a science teacher for the Stillwater Central School for almost 35 years, before retiring in 1988. He was also the school's senior class advisor for many years. Joe served as the science department head for a number of years. In addition to teaching, Joe was very active in the sports programs of Stillwater Central, serving as a championship junior varsity basketball coach, assistant varsity football coach, and the super scout for the Stillwater sports program. After retirement, Joe was the station manager for the Stillwater Mobil station for some years. Joe also was a former basketball referee, baseball umpire, and was a former Little League baseball coach. A communicant of St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church of Stillwater, Joe was a former parish council member, usher and lector. A member of the American Legion Post 490 of Stillwater, Joe was well known and friends with so many people, former students and colleagues. Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Jean Carley Farnan; his six children, Judith (Eric) Farnan-Farago of Stillwater, Joseph (Anne Marie) Farnan of Ft. Collins, Co., Kelly Farnan of Schoharie, Timothy Farnan of Mechanicville, Hollie Farnan of Delmar and Anne (Kevin) Herrick of Mechanicville. Also grandchildren, Jason, Daniel, Nicholas, Carley, Kelsey and Andrew; and his brother Robert (Linda) Farnan of The Hague, Netherlands, along with nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at St. Peter's Church. Spring burial in St. Peter's Cemetery. Calling hours at the DeVito-Salvadore Funeral Home, 39 So. Main St., Mechanicville on Tuesday from 4-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the Farnan family would ask remembrances be made to the Joseph E. Farnan Memorial Science Award at Stillwater Central School, in care of the Funeral Home.