Joseph R. Anderson

Wellsville, NY - Joseph R. Anderson, 85, of 29 Crescent Drive died Monday, June 11, 2012 at Jones Memorial Hospital following a brief illness. He was born at home September 21, 1926 at 80 Dyke Street in Wellsville the son of the late Leo P. and Mary (Shine) Anderson. On June 3, 1950 in Friendship he married Marjorie Hewitt who survives.

He was a graduate on the Immaculate Conception School and Wellsville High School class of 1944. He was a veteran of WW II serving with the U. S. Navy aboard the USS Oyster Bay from December 19, 1944 to August 15, 1946. He was employed as a cable splicer for 39 years with New York Telephone, retiring in 1988. He was an active member of the Dyke Street Engine Company # 2 for 60 years, where he served as President and Captain. He was the Fire Chief of the Wellsville Volunteer Fire Department from 1973 to 1975, Past President of the Allegany County Fireman's Association and Past President of the Southwestern Fireman's Association. He was a member of Telephone Pioneers, the American Legion post 702, the VFW Post 2530 and the Wellsville Country Club.

While serving as 1st Assistant Fire Chief, during the Flood of 72, he helped rescue several people by boat and personally witnessed the wing of Jones Memorial Hospital fall into the Genesee River. He enjoyed woodworking, hunting, golfing and was an avid Yankees fan. In 1962 he built his own house with the help of this cousin, Virgil Goodridge.

Surviving in addition to his wife are two daughters, Denise (John) Richardson and Nancy (Jerome) Hart both of Wellsville, four grandchildren, Traci (Walter) Embser, Brian (Kim Rice) Richardson, Jerome Hart II and Elizabeth Hart, two great grandchildren, Eleanor Ann Embser and Zoe McKenna Richardson, one Sister, Eleanor Anderson Driscoll, in-laws, Wendell and Roxanne Hewitt as well as several nieces & nephews.  

Friends are invited to call on Friday, June 15, 2012 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 pm and Saturday from 10:00 to 10:30 am at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. in Wellsville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 11:00 am at the Immaculate Conception Church in Wellsville with Rev. Sean DiMaria as Celebrant. Burial, with military honors will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Memorial donations can be made to the Dyke Street Engine Company, Hart Comfort House or the Immaculate Conception School. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.