H. Joseph “Joe” Donlon – (72) – of 6282 Gypsy Hill Road, Hornell, died Thursday afternoon (August 16, 2018) at his home, surrounded by his family and friends, following a long illness.
A native & life resident of Hornell, he was born on August 22, 1945, and was the son of Harry & Elizabeth (Conklin) Donlon.
Joe was a graduate of Hornell High School (class of 1964). He later attended Alfred State College. He was a veteran of the US Army, serving in the 25th Infantry Division in Vietnam in 1967.
In his younger years, Joe & his wife owned & operated a family dairy farm in Hornell. He also worked as a mason & bricklayer for Local #3 Bricklayers Union for many years.
He was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and had been a communicant of St. Ignatius Loyola Church where he sang in the choir & served as an usher. In later years he was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church of Rexville and also St. Ann’s Church where he served on the building & grounds committee. Joe was a charter member the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Sons of Ireland, Steuben County Division 1. In 2013 he was awarded Hibernian of the year for his service to his church and community.
The Hornell community will remember Joe for many of his talents, most of all his humor and willingness to help others. “Uncle Joe” to many, he brightened every room with quick words of wit and his infectious smile. Joe will be remembered as a person that could make you laugh a little louder, smile a little bigger and live a little better.
He was predeceased by his loving wife Christine (Egmond) of 40 years, who passed away on February 5, 2010. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Bonnie Cheresnowsky.
Surviving are 3 sons, Joe (Julie) Donlon of Hornell, Jeremy (Sara) Donlon of Scio and Stephen (Kelly) Donlon of Alfred; 4 sisters, Jacqueline (Jack) McGraw of Mattapoisett, MA, Beverly Donlon of Horseheads, Elaine (Barry) Ceci of Rochester and Elizabeth Donlon of Rochester; 1 brother, Mike Donlon of Hornell; grandchildren, Breccan, Ryann, McKenna, Brogan & Katen; many close nieces & nephews, brothers and sisters-in laws and close companion Frances Shute.
The family of H. Joseph “Joe” Donlon will receive friends on Monday from 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 10 AM at St. Ann’s Church with burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Joe’s family request that memorial contributions in his name be made to CareFirst Hospice, 3805 Meads Creek Road, Painted Post, NY 14870. Memorial forms will be available at the Dagon Funeral Home.
Our Thoughts & Prayers are with the Donlon & Cheresnowsky Families.
The Robert Drumm Family.
The Wescott Family extends our deepest condolences to the family of Joe Donlon on their loss. Who can forget the day that Christine and Joe got married and it looked like about 6 feet of snow came down. Joe would joke about it many times. He would also comment many times on the days when he showed Jim and Jenny how to milk the cows and they didn’t want to leave the barn and how much fun he had with them. He and Christine made several trips to Missouri when Monica was very ill and both Monica and I always appreciated it as their trips and his unique sense of humor lifted her spirits and made her laugh for many days. He had a common sense approach to life, showed great courage in facing life’s many challenges, right up to the end, was very compassionate, easy and fun to be around, helpful in many ways to everyone who needed help, and most important of all — he was a Really GOOD guy. He helped make this world a better place. We are All going to miss him.
H. Joseph is no longer “fair to middlin ” rather he is now enjoying the rewards of Eternal Life.
Rest In Peace my Brother