Obituary of Joseph W. Lovell

Joseph William Lovell of Niskayuna, NY, died on December 7, 2014, at the of age 82. Joe was born on May 6, 1932, in Callicoon, NY to the late Melvern Hull Lovell and Lucretia O'Neill Lovell. After graduating from Deposit High School in 1950, Joe enlisted in the Marine Corps, proudly serving his country during the Korean Conflict. While in combat, he was injured and offered the Purple Heart, but declined it because he felt others around him were more deserving. Upon returning from Korea, Joe began his long career with the New York Telephone Company as a cable splicer in Poughkeepsie, New York. In 1967, Joe and his family moved to Schenectaday. He retired in 1991, as an Underground Cable Maintenance Manager. Joe was active in the Niskayuna Reformed Church, as a member of the Greater Consistory and for many years, as a member of the church choir. He enjoyed volunteering at the annual Antique Show and Flea Market at the church. As part of a very musical family, Joe enjoyed singing barbershop harmony with his father and older brother, Jack. In 1970, he joined the Racing City Chorus in Saratoga, who went on to compete in an international competition. Joe was also the bass in the comedy quartet, Grandma's Boyfriends. Joe was a loving husband and father, always ready to share a song or a joke. He passed on his love of music to his daughters. Family gatherings often included Joe and his girls singing old favorites. Music was a great part of Joe's life with Norma as well. They loved singing together, in the church choir, at their niece's wedding, as well as the Galway Players production of Music Man. Joe is survived by his wife of 26 years, Norma, children, Sharon (Joseph) Civale of Niskayuan; Laura (Phillip) Mitchell of Salem, NY; Jennifer (Gerry) Chapman of Clifton Park, and step-son Scott Haefner of Fort Johnson, six grandchildren: Gregory (Lindsay) Hafensteiner, Griffin (Rebecca) Hafensteiner, Andrea Mitchell (Megan Thompson), Heather Mitchell (Bryan) Kuzel, Mackenzie Chapman, and Connor Chapman, four great-grandchildren, Kiely and Cody Hafensteiner and Jordyn and Khloe Hafensteiner, and many nieces and nephews. Joe was predeceased by his siblings, Claire Ward and husband Charles, and John (Jack) Lovell. Friends may call Thursday, December 18th from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Jones Funeral Home, 1503 Union Street (at McClellan Street, Schenectady). A funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm on December 19, at Niskayuna Reformed Church, Troy-Schenectady Road, Niskayuna. The family wishes to thank the staff at Baptist Health Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Scotia, and St. Peter's Hospice. In lieu of flowers, those wishing, may direct donations in Joe's memory to the Niskayuna Reformed Church Music Ministry.