REV. JOHN S. (JACK) JOSLYN
MAYFIELD, NY – Rev. John S. (Jack) Joslyn of Mayfield, NY passed away on November 26, 2014 after a long illness. Jack was born on June 13, 1927 in Syracuse, NY to Rev. Dr. John M. and Ada (Burdick) Joslyn. He grew up in Syracuse and Glenfield, NY. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1944 and served as a Seaman for two years. He then attended Hartwick College and graduated from Gettysburg College and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg in 1959.
After his ordination, Jack served as Assistant Pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Pittsfield, MA. He became pastor of the former St. James Lutheran Church in Gloversville, NY, and on September 8, 1962, married Kathryn Cox of Gloversville, who survives.
During his tenure at St. James, Jack served as Police Chaplain, was a member of the Fulton County Narcotics Addiction Control Council and served on several City Youth Groups. From 1970-1974, Jack worked for the NYS Narcotics Addiction Control Commission in Utica, NY while serving the former Ascension Lutheran Church in Rome, NY. He returned to the ministry full-time in 1974 as pastor of Christ Lutheran Church, Norwich, NY. While in Norwich, Jack was a volunteer firefighter and fire chaplain. He was a Rotarian, a member of the Chenango Valley Youth Commission, the Chenango County Drug Abuse Council and Leadership Chenango. Jack retired from the Lutheran ministry in 1989, but continued to server as pastor at the Methodist churches in Clayton and Depauville, NY until his full retirement in 1992.
Pastor and Mrs. Joslyn retired to Mayfield, NY, where Jack served as President of the Gloversville Council of Churches, was a member of the Fulton County Outreach Team and enjoyed membership in the Sacandaga Chapter of the Northeast Woodworkers Association.
His favorite moments were spent with his grandchildren, working in his wood shop or enjoying the outdoors. Jack loved spending time with family at Stony Lake and later at Stewart’s Landing.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children Libby and Ted Arndt of Fort Plain, NY and Kathy and Paul Joslyn of Syracuse, NY; his grandchildren, Jocelyn and Christian Arndt and Cecilia Joslyn; his brothers and sisters, the Rev. Paul and Peggy Joslyn of Glenfield, NY, John and Nancy (Joslyn) Richardson of Burlington, NC, Marilyn (Cox) Warner of Gloversville, NY and Fred and Jean Cox of Lakeland, FL; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Family and Friends are invited to visitation hours, from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday November 30, 2014 at the Gloversville Funeral Service, 4 Second Ave., Gloversville, NY. A graveside service will be held at the convenience of the family in the spring.
The family would like to thank the staff at the Fulton Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare for the wonderful care given to Jack these past few months.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Northeastern New York Chapter, 4 Pine West Plaza, Suite 405, Albany, NY 12205. Condolences may be made to the family online at www.gloversvillefuneralservice.com.