Robert Anthony Joseph

Robert Anthony Joseph of Indian Land, S.C. passed away peacefully on September 20, 2024 with family by his side.  Bob was peerless in intellect, generosity, and devotion to family. He was born on October 13, 1941 to the late Anthony E. and Helen E. Joseph and spent the majority of his life in Utica, N.Y.  Bob graduated from Hamilton College, where he was a proud member of the Continentals’ baseball team and Psi Upsilon fraternity. After graduation, he enlisted and served in the U.S. Army for six years.

The eldest of six, Bob was a natural-born helper. This led him to pursue the profession he considered noblest: teaching. He started his career in Utica Public Schools, where he met fellow teacher Jennie Cerminaro. The pair married as soon as school let out in June 1970. They had two children and 50 years together until Jennie’s passing.  Bob’s other passion was serving the deaf community; he spent most of his career at the New York State School for the Deaf, as teacher, principal, and administrator. He taught deaf students who were mainstreamed in New Hartford and Whitesboro districts, and was adjunct professor at Utica College, Mohawk Valley Community College, and SUNY Morrisville.  An avid hunter, he taught gun safety lessons for NYS. Outside the classroom, Bob was a much-sought ASL interpreter; while he interpreted for high-profile speakers including Jimmy Carter, Hillary Clinton, and Billy Graham, he most valued interpreting in hospitals, police stations, and settings otherwise ill-equipped to properly serve deaf people. After retirement, Bob & Jennie moved south to be close to their grandkids.  There, Bob volunteered to teach ASL to preschoolers and elementary students.

It’s impossible to tally all the public service roles Bob held in his communities, but he only used one lesson plan: “Give ‘em all you’ve got.”  Bob held leadership and volunteer roles at: the Kennedy-Greene Foundation, Camp Mark Seven, St. Louis of Gonzaga Parish Council, Holy Name Society, St. Joseph’s Society, Oneida County Democratic Party, Boy Scouts of America, Elks Club, National Association of Maronites, St. Louis Religious Education, Maronite Youth Organization, American Red Cross, various youth baseball and football leagues, Sun City Library, and more.  He was a faithful parishioner at St. Louis of Gonzaga (NY) and St. Stephen’s (NC) Maronite Catholic Churches. He clocked in his best-quality hours in his role as Giddo.

Bob is survived by his daughter Helene and son-in-law Michael Laurenti of Waxhaw, N.C., son Robert Joseph of Indian Land, S.C., beloved grandchildren Mia and Cole Laurenti, siblings Richard and Marilyn Joseph, Kathleen and Gordon Custodero, Tony and Selma Joseph, and John and Kathy Joseph, “best man” John Barkett, godchildren Mark Lewis, Barbara Barkett, Lynn Nisbet, and Amanda Ure, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and scores of former students whom he considered family.  In addition to his wife and parents, Bob was preceded in death by his brother William Joseph, and in-laws Angie and Angelo Cerminaro, Frances Brood, Josie Feliciano, Pat and Paula Corriero, Pat and Charlotte Cerminaro, Gloria and Wendell Higgins, and Marie Romanzo.

A Maronite funeral Mass with Military Honors will be held at 11 a.m. on October 19, 2024 at St. Stephen’s, 4116 Waxhaw Marvin Road, Waxhaw NC, followed by a reception at the Laurenti home.  A 40-Day Memorial Mass will be held at 4 p.m. on November 16, 2024 at St. Louis of Gonzaga, 520 Rutger St., Utica NY, followed by a celebration of life, details forthcoming. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Robert & Jennie Joseph Scholarship for Future Teachers, (awarded to Proctor graduates planning to become teachers), made payable and sent to: Utica Public School District, 929 York St., Utica NY, 13502 (Memo line: Joseph).