CANASTOTA . . .

Joseph F. Schmelzer, 92, of Canastota, and formerly of Liverpool and N. Syracuse, passed away on Monday, February 3, 2025, at the Oneida Healthcare Extended Care Facility, following a lengthy illness.

Joe was born on May 15, 1932, in Syracuse, the son of the late George and Rose (Backus) Schmelzer.

He spent his early years in Syracuse, graduating from Assumption Academy in 1950. Joe later lived in N. Syracuse for forty-three years, Liverpool for eighteen years, moving to Canastota in 2021.

Joe worked for Automatic Data Processing in Liverpool for fourteen years, retiring in 1994.

He was a charter member, life member, past director, and past president of the North Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps. For thirteen years he was the director of the North Syracuse Senior Citizens, where he organized the O.K. Kitchen Band.

He was a communicant of the Church of the Assumption and an usher at 10 am Mass, later becoming a communicant of St. Agatha's Church in Canastota.

Joe was a Hess truck collector, a life member of the Plank Road Chamber of Commerce, and director of the Charter Oaks Volunteer Watch. As a longtime volunteer of at Elderwood at Birchwood Health Care Center, he was president of volunteers in partnership at Birchwood where he was employed as director of volunteers.

For twelve years, he served as a Village of North Syracuse Trustee, eight of those as years as Deputy Mayor. In 1975, he was named North Syracuse Man of the Year by the North Syracuse Star News.

Joe was predeceased by his wives, the former Earlean LaVoy on November 22, 1999, and the former Joan Phillips on September 14, 2003.

Surviving are: three children, Joseph and Darlene Schmelzer of Goldsboro, NC, Catherine and Gordon Pollock of Bellingham, WA, and Timothy Schmelzer of Jacksonville, FL; five stepchildren, Susan Farnsworth of Liverpool, Amy Breed of Liverpool, Lisa Dougherty of Baldwinsville, Donna Wilks of Fayetteville, and Charles Farnsworth of Buffalo; one sister, Johanna Whaley of Canastota; as well as many grandchildren, great grandchildren, step grandchildren, step great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Joe was predeceased by two stepsons, Frederick Farnsworth, and Roger Farnsworth; one stepdaughter, Wilda Loos; one brother, George Schmelzer; two sisters, Rose Schmelzer, and Mary Fauler; and a special sister-in-law, Mary Lou Schmelzer.

Calling hours will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday, February 7, 2025, at the J. Homer Ball Funeral Home, Inc., 201 James Street, Canastota. A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at St. Agatha's Church, 329 N. Peterboro Street, Canastota. The Rev. Christopher J. Ballard, Pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in North Syracuse Cemetery.

In his memory, contributions may be made to NAVAC, PO Box 215, North Syracuse, NY 13212, with envelopes available at the funeral home.