Joseph H. '"Joe"' Wason

Port Leyden - Joseph H. Wason, 67, of Thomas Road, passed away suddenly at his residence on Tuesday, October 7, 2008. Joe was born in Port Leyden, on April 3, 1941, a son of John and Leafa "Coe" McIntire Wason. He grew up in Port Leyden, graduating from Port Leyden Central School with the Class of 1959. Thereafter he attended and graduated from SUNY College at Fredonia, earning a Bachelors degree in education. He began his teaching career in January, 1964, at Lowville Academy and Central School. In the fall of 1964 he transferred to Boonville Central School, where he taught fifth grade until retiring in 1994 from then Adirondack Central School in Boonville. Mr. Wason was a talented teacher who cared deeply for each and every one of his students; he had a special gift for making learning fun and exciting for his students. During his youth he joined the Boy Scouts of America, an interest and passion that he maintained for the rest of his life. For many years Joe was a Scout Master for Boy Scout Troop 13 of Boonville and during the summers he was employed at Boy Scout Camp Kingsley in the Town of Ava. At the present time he was still active in scouting. Mr. Wason was a founding member of Boonville Search & Rescue Squad, and had remained very active in the squad. He was also a member of Boonville Uriel Masonic Lodge, #165 F&AM, Boonville, Boonville Elks Lodge, B.P.O.E. #2158, Charles J. Love Post, Sons of the American Legion, and the Harland J. Hennessey V.F.W. Post Men's Auxiliary, Boonville. Joe enjoyed hunting and was a member of Box Canyon Hunting & Social Club. He loved to cook, and he operated a catering service in partnership with Mark White of Boonville. He is survived by one brother and sister-in- law, James and Shirley Wason of Chase Mills, NY; one sister and brother-in-law, Louise and Paul Wilson of Port Leyden; a sister-in-law, Rosella Wason of Sevierville, TN; , many nieces, nephews, great- nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces and great- great-nephews, all of whom he thought of and loved like they were his own children. Joe was predeceased by a brother, John "Jack" Wason, on September 29, 2008, and by sisters Judy Wason, on December 30, 2005, and Mary Alice who died at age 3. Visitation will be Thursday from 4-8 P.M. at the Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St. Boonville, where relatives and friends are also invited to attend the Masonic Service on Thursday at 8:00 P.M. conducted by members of Boonville Uriel Lodge #165 F&AM. Interment will be private in Port Leyden Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Boonville Search & Rescue Squad, PO Box #332, Boonville, NY 13309.