Joseph Fall

Joseph passed away Tuesday, July 24, 2018, succumbing to a lengthy bout with cancer.  He was a life-long resident of Schenectady, an active and beloved member of his neighborhood, and a 50 year seasonal resident at his camp in Holland Massachusetts.  

Joe was the son of the late Joseph Peter and Agnes (Faran) Fall and was predeceased by his wife Patricia M. Fall (Smith) of 52 years in 2011, whom he met in 1944 while attending St. Mary’s School. 

Joe graduated Nott Terrace HS in 1954, received his BS in Business Education from the NYS College for Teachers in Albany in 1963 and MS in Education from SUNY Albany in 1967.

A veteran, and proud member of the Seabees in the US Navy, Joe served from 1955 – 1960 in Newfoundland, The Bahama Islands, and Morocco as a Personnel Clerk and Legal Court Reporter, completing his service on Recruiting Duty in Buffalo NY.

Joe was an educator and an expert conversationalist in every aspect of his life with everyone he knew and met, using this trait in his profession.  His teaching career started in 1963 at Averill Park Central Schools, he was then employed by Schenectady City Schools at Linton High School for the next 36 years, teaching various Business Education Courses.  In addition he taught Accounting, Shorthand and Word Processing in Schenectady’s Adult Education Program.  For 25 years at Linton, Joe served as Textbook Supervisor for the school, ordering, processing and keeping inventory of all texts used at the High School.  From 1975 to 1992, he was an adjunct instructor at Schenectady County Community College teaching Accounting, Business Math, Keyboarding and Word Processing.   During his educational tenure, Joe also co-authored two text books on the subjects of Word Processing and Computer Accounting Applications.  

Joe was a devout catholic, a life-long communicant of the former St. Mary’s Church and was a 60 year member of the it’s Echo Choral Society, continuing his choir service at St. Paul’s and St. Anthony’s after St. Mary’s closed.  Joe enjoyed singing in the choir, especially traditional Polish and English holiday concerts and masses.  He also assisted in an organizational capacity for the group before retiring after 65 years in June 2018.  He was also a member of the Schenectady Federation of Teachers since 1963.

In addition to his love of singing in the choir, he enjoyed Broadway productions at any level, whether Proctor’s, SLOC or Schenectady High; especially their Blue Rose Productions.  Joe’s learning and teaching background abled him to tell a primary or background story on just about anything Broadway or Disney, a fountain of information if anyone asked.  Joe and his late wife Pat would make several trips to Florida and Disney and enjoyed many road trips, Joe was an “expert” trip planner.  They shared an in depth love of crafting ceramics from start to finish, producing thousands of items through the years.  Joe enjoyed working and playing on his computers and many electronic gadgets.  Of the many joys in his life, Joe especially loved spending summers and weekends with family and friends at his family-built camp in Holland, MA for 50 years.  The camp was also a stepping off point for other favorite activities such as countless Fenway visits, Cape Cod retreats and visiting other New England and Boston Sites.  Joe was an avid Red Sox and Patriots Fan and enjoyed following all sports.  Joe particularly enjoyed participating in Instant Replay and 13 Run Club as part of his sports interests, as well as casino visits with his siblings.  All in all, Joe relished the company of his family, friends, neighbors, colleagues and acquaintances anywhere he was and in anything he was doing.  His ability to spark up a conversation with anyone  about just about anything, his sense of humor, attention to detail and affinity for deadlines made him a presence in every aspect of his life.

Joe is survived by his three sons, Brian J. Fall (Carolyn) of Schenectady, Kevin J. Fall (Kristen Coia) of Palmer MA, and Joseph P. Fall (Meia) of Seymour TN; Grandchildren Megan (Palmer MA) and Matthew Fall (Charlton MA), their mother Lori Fall (Palmer MA), Lucy and Luke Fall, their mother Lisa Fall (Knoxville, TN),  and Christine Fall (Schenectady); Step-Grandchildren Nick Kolterman and Megan Hilton (Nate), and three great-grandchildren.  His surviving siblings include Josephine Pyrek of Pleasant Valley, NY, Stephen Fall of Wappingers Falls, NY, and Benjamin Fall of Whitesboro, NY.  Predeceased by his brother Mitchell Fall, brother-in-law Tony Pyrek, sisters-in-law Mary Eunice Fall and Regina Fall.  Joe is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews.  Finally, Joe is survived by his most loving, loyal and overly spoiled dog “Coco”, who will miss him immensely.

  Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 30, at 8:15 a.m. from the DeLegge Funeral Home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial 9:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church, 225 Lafayette Street, Sch’dy.  Entombment will be in Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery. 
 
Calling hours will be on Sunday, July 29 from 4pm – 6pm at the DeLegge Funeral Home. 

The family wishes to acknowledge and express it’s gratitude to the professionals of Ellis Hospital – particularly the Critical Care Unit and C-Wing Staff along with the Hospice Care Team.  

In lieu of flowers, Joe and the family have requested donations to be made to The Sisters of the Resurrection, Castleton, NY or St. Joseph’s Church, Lafayette Street, Schenectady, NY.

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