EARLVILLE – Joseph James (Joe) Wissenbach, 54, passed away Saturday, March 13, 2010, following a courageous seven-year long battle with cancer.
Born in Pittsburgh, Pa. in 1955, a son of Louis E. and Sheila Coon Wissenbach, his family later migrated to Morrisville, and then to Watertown. While following the “go west young man” pattern of many, it was Joe‚s true love for his wife-to-be, Catherine Schell, which made the Wyoming experiment brief, prompting a return to the beauty of Central New York in 1977. Joe was a family-first individual who brought a seldom seen unselfish attitude to modern-day life. Joe enjoyed skiing, classic and antique cars, maps, nature, music, animals of many types, local politics, a good meal and most of all, his beloved wife of 25 years, whom he adored. Joe was an accomplished and meticulous land surveyor. His survey projects, sub-divisions, as-builts and roads will continue to blanket and serve Upstate New York for many years to come. Over the years, Joe worked for Rhinevault Surveyors and Natoli Engineering in Norwich, as well as R.W.P. in Oneonta prior to launching his own firm in Earlville.
Joe is survived by his wife, Catherine Schell of Earlville; son and daughter-in-law, Gair Wissenbach and Elena Skripka of Philadelphia, Pa.; daughter, Paige Wissenbach and companion, Nate Specht of Philadelphia, Pa.; mother, Sheila Dresser of Sherburne; sister, Diane Church of Ithaca; brother and sister-in-law, Louis and Linda Wissenbach of Seattle, Wash.; brother, Tim Wissenbach and husband, Joe Cardillo of Utica; sister, Laurie Wissenbach of Edgewater, Fla.; brother and sister-in-law, Dale and Kessa Wissenbach of Earlville; step-sisters and brothers-in-law, Christine “Tina” and Mike Blake of Candor; Ede and Craig Walker of Smyrna; step-brother, Todd Dresser, of Ithaca; mother-in-law and father-in-law, John and Nancy Schell of Earlville; brother-in-law and wife, John and Suzette Dapson Schell of Poolville; brother-in-law, Bobby Schell of Earlville; cousin and close friend, Doug McKaig of Morrisville; and numerous loving nieces, nephews and cousins, as well as his special cat/nap partner, Christina. He was predeceased by his father, Louis E. Wissenbach and his step-father, Gordon Dresser. Family, friends, colleagues and acquaintances alike will long and deeply mourn the passage of Joe.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, 5 Classic St., Sherburne.
Interment will be private at the convenience of the family.
Friends are invited to call at the Burgess & Tedesco Funeral Home, 3 Preston St., Earlville, on Wednesday, from 5 to 8 p.m.
The family extends a warm and special “thank you” to Bill Excell, Jr. for his rescue efforts, friendship and support, and to his long-time friends Gary Seymour and Marcy (Bonsie) Eller.
At the request of his family, please omit flowers and consider donations in his memory to the Earlville Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 37, Earlville, NY 13332.
To send a condolence or sign the Book of Memories online go to www.burgessandtedescofuneralhomes.com.