Obituary
Joseph C. Gaspard, Sr., a retired teacher, coach, school administrator, Realtor, devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully on June 18 at Halifax Health Hospice in Ormond Beach, FL.
Joe was born in Manhattan, NYC on August 17, 1927, son of George F. Gaspard and Amelia Stefcheck Gaspard.
His family moved to Craryville, NY when he was 5 years old. Joe graduated from Roeliff Jansen School in Hillsdale, NY and attended Cortland State University for 1 year before entering the U.S. Navy in 1945. He served on the USS Palau aircraft carrier during World War II. He completed his BS degree at Cortland in 1949 and then a master’s degree in School Administration at the State University of New York at Albany.
In 1950, Joe married Joan Maher at the old St. Mary’s Church in Washingtonville, NY. They met while both were teaching at Roeliff Jansen. After several teaching and coaching roles in the area, the family moved to Newburgh, NY in 1957. For the next 26 years, Joe taught, coached basketball, and served as Vice Principal at Newburgh Free Academy. He and Joan retired to Myrtle Beach where he worked as a realtor and on his golf game, achieving five holes in one!
Joe was predeceased by his wife Joan, brother George A. Gaspard, sisters Rita Jones and Mary Carl, sons Joseph C. Gaspard, Jr. “JC” and Thomas Gaspard. Joe is survived by daughters Michelle Henny (Nick) of Ormond Beach, FL, Catherine Gaspard of Newburgh, NY, son John T. Gaspard (Jeannie) of Coram, NY, daughter Amelia Clark (Craig) of St. Johns, FL, brother-in-law Hugh Maher (Mary) of Lansdale, PA, daughter-in-law Mary Gaspard of Newburgh, NY, 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Celebration will be held at a later date for the family at St. Mary’s Church, Washingtonville, NY, celebrating the lives of Joe and Joan before burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Please say a special prayer of thanks to your parents, a favorite teacher, and a special prayer for Joe and Joan.
“Greatest Generation”.