1/23/1935 – 7/15/2022
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of the Honorable Joseph Esposito, Sr., age 87, on July 15, 2022. He was a 63-year resident of the Town of Kent, NY.
Joseph was born January 23, 1935 in Mount Vernon, New York to the late Francesco and Maria (Coschignano) Esposito. He married the love of his life Carol-Lynne Casagrande on May 26, 1957 in Mount Vernon, NY and they were blessed with three wonderful children, Debra, Jodi, and Joseph, Jr.
Joseph was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle. He was a licensed Master Plumber and ran his own business, Esposito & Son Plumbing and Heating, while simultaneously dedicating his life to public service.
Joseph served as a Police Officer for the Town of Kent Police Department (KPD) for 14 years. During his time at the KPD, he was the firearms instructor with certifications through NYS and the FBI. Following his retirement from the police department, he was elected as a Town Justice in the Town of Kent in 1988, an office he held until 2008. The 20 years he served on the bench were spent fulfilling his life’s greatest passion. During his time as a Police Officer and Town Justice, he was also a proud Volunteer Fireman in the Lake Carmel Fire Department, where he served for 60 years. Prior to moving to Lake Carmel, he was also a member of the Mount Vernon Volunteer Fire Department for 10 years.
It was through his role as a public servant and local plumber that Joseph met and befriended many people within the Lake Carmel and Putnam County community. No matter where he went, he always met someone he knew, resulting in an endless conversation full of laughter and stories. He was known as “Uncle Joe” or “Judge” to many, who often remarked that he was a one-of-a-kind, larger-than-life character.
To name just a few organizations that he was involved with, Joseph was a Chairman of the Putnam County Plumbing Board, a charter member of the Putnam County PBA, a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, and a charter member of Our Lady of Lakes-Council #6318 Knights of Columbus.
He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him. His grandchildren, most of all, will never forget all the wonderful and chaotic Sunday morning breakfasts hosted by their Poppie.
Joseph was predeceased by his beloved wife of 59 years, Carol, in 2016, his sisters, Rosie Zuccarelli, Christine Ginese, and twin brother, Monsignor Ernest Esposito.
He is survived by his loving children, Debra Burghardt, Jodi Panny, and Joseph Esposito, Jr., and their spouses Gregory, William and Cathleen, respectively. Joseph also has three adoring grandchildren, Carli-Rae Duncombe (husband John Michael), Rachel Panny, and Joseph Esposito III, and one great-grandson, as well as many nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 20, 2022 at Cargain Funeral Home, 10 Fowler Avenue, Carmel, NY from 4-8 PM.
A Mass of Christian burial will take place at 11 AM on Thursday, July 21, 2022 at St. James the Apostle Church, Carmel, NY.
Immediately following Mass, Joseph will join his beloved wife at their final resting place in Raymond Hill Cemetery in Carmel, NY.
Memorial donations in Joseph Esposito’s name can be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation (https://t2t.org/donate/) or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=header-btn-donate-now).