Joseph Leo Dessel, 85 of Endicott, passed away peacefully on Friday February 16, 2024, at his home. He was predeceased by his parents John and Cyrilla Dessel; his in-laws Stanley and Anna Michalczak; his brother-in-law Aaron Taub; his sister-in-law Luci (Michalczak) Vergili. He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years Barbara (Michalczak) Dessel; his daughter Elizabeth Moat (Steven); his son Jonathan Dessel (Laura); three grandchildren Zachary Griffiths, Kai and Audrey Moat; his sister Rosemary Taub; his brother-in-law Robert Michalczak (Marykay); also several special nieces and nephews. Joe was born in Rochester, NY on February 24, 1938. When he was three years old his family moved to the farming community of Wolcott, New York on the shores of Lake Ontario. He graduated from Levenworth Central High School in Wolcott in 1956. He graduated from RPI in Troy, NY in 1960 with an engineering degree. After graduation he began his career in printer design with IBM working in Kingston, Raleigh, NC and Endicott, NY. Joe retired a Senior Engineer in 1993 after 33 years of service. After retirement Joe enjoyed “anything he wanted” according to Barbara. He was a member of The Most Holy Rosary Church in Maine, NY and The Order Sons and Daughters of Italy, Duca Degli Abruzzi Lodge #443, Endicott. He was an accomplished sailboat racer and small airplane pilot and skydiver. Joe and Barbara enjoyed visiting the Canadian Maritime Provinces and especially enjoyed attending the “Celtic Colours Music Festival” in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada for over 20 years. Special thanks to the staff of Lourdes Hospice and dear friends Bob Arnold and Rich and Sherri Alt.
Funeral services will be held Saturday February 24th at 10:45 AM from the Leon Pucedo Funeral Home, Inc. 1905 Watson Blvd. Endicott, NY and at 11:30 AM at the Most Holy Rosary Church 2596 Main St. Maine, NY where a Funeral Mass will be held. Burial will follow in Maine Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Pucedo Funeral Home on Friday February 23rd from 5-7 PM. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his memory to Mercy House 212 N. McKinley Ave. Endicott, NY. 13760. The Sons of Italy Lodge will hold a service Friday evening at 5:15 PM.