REXFORD, N.Y. — Emil M. "Joe" Habesch Sr., 93, died peacefully at his home on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013, surrounded by his family .
Joe was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and came to the U.S. at age 9. Joe enlisted in the U.S. Army in peacetime in 1938, and was stationed in Plattsburgh. During WWII, he served in North Africa and was wounded in 1943 in Tunisia, earning him the Purple Heart. Joe owned Rexford Lumber Co. and was a Shaklee Supervisor for over 40 years. Joe and his wife of 57 years, Luella M. (Craig) Habesch, hosted Fresh Air Kids through the Schenectady Gazette and were Foster parents. Joe was an active member of the Rexford United Methodist Church and enjoyed gardening, camping, fishing, boating, babies, and he loved watching his grandsons play baseball. He earned certification with the U.S. Power Squadrons and was a former member of the Schenectady Yacht Club.
Joe was predeceased by his wife, Luella, a sister, Irma, and a brother, Silvio.
Joe is survived by his children: Alice Williams (CB Joe) of Wilmington Del., Emil "Joe" Habesch, Jr. (Marie) of Malta, Elizabeth "Bettie" Kotzak (Lennie) of Schenectady, Irma Allen (Gilbert) of Niskayuna, Jeanne Lowe of Schenectady, and Christine "Tina" Park (Daniel) of Mechanicville; brother-in-law Donald Craig (Lois) of Broadalbin; sister-in-law Leona Craig of Sparks, Nev., 24 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 7, from the Thwaits-Zaumetzer Funeral Home, 3 College St., Ausable Forks, N.Y. Relatives and friends are invited to calling hours from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home on Wednesday, March 6. A graveside service will be held with military honors
on Thursday, March 7, at the Fairview Cemetery in Ausable Forks, N.Y.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Joe's name are requested to be made to the Salvation Army, 222 Lafayette Street, Schenectady 12305.
