Joseph Patrick Williams

joseph williams

August 5, 1929 ~ October 28, 2020

Born in: Brooklyn, NY
Resided in: Smithtown, NY

Joseph Patrick Williams
Born in Brooklyn, NY on August 5, 1929
and passed away at his home in Smithtown on October 28, 2020.
Joe is survived by his wife, Eileen (Coyne) Williams. Joe was a devoted and supportive husband to Eileen for sixty-three years.
Joseph grew up as the eldest of eight children and served as a great role model for his brothers and sisters. Joseph earned his high school degree at Erasmus Hall. Joseph was predeceased by his father, Joseph J. Williams and his mother Helen (McAlpin). Joe is also predeceased by his siblings; John Williams (Ann Cody), Mary Gilfeather (Thomas), Veronica Cirone (Al), Vincent Williams, Matthew Williams (Mary Buckley), Helen Curley (Peter). Joe is survived by his brother James Williams (Joan Mc Gowan).

Joseph and his wife, Eileen were blessed with six daughters and after moving from Brooklyn they settled in Hicksville, NY, where they lovingly raised their daughters. Joe is predeceased by his beloved daughter Monica Williams. He is survived by his daughters; Mary Williams Molloy (James Molloy EOW 1/30/17), Janine Heinlein (Jay), Margaret Anne Williams-Tine (John Tine), Sheila Williams-Schmidt, Katrina Williams (Jeff Lockwood).

He is also survived by his twelve loving grandchildren; Alexa and Christina Molloy, Patrick, Sara and Jessica Heinlein, Julia Fortin (Matt), Matthew Tine, Dr. Bernadette Schmidt, Makayla and Isabella Schmidt, and Kiernan and Eliza Lockwood. His grandchildren loved spending time with Joe especially at his summer home in Lake Luzerne. Joe was proud and supportive of their accomplishments.

Joe is also survived by many nieces and nephews whom he loved as well.

Joe was an Army Veteran of the Korean War (2nd Infantry Division) and served in the Coast Guard Reserves. He was very proud of his service in both organizations. Joe was a firefighter in FDNY (the Bravest was a well-deserved name), and was promoted to Lieutenant and retired as a Captain. Joe served at Ladder 111 and the Fire Academy, and he especially enjoyed the team of fellow firefighters at Ladder 176 (The Tin House). Joe and his friend, Louie Augier, started The Tin House Fun Run over forty years ago to benefit the New York Firefighters Burn Center Foundation. Their legacy continues today through the annual event. In addition, he was awarded the Brummer Medal for his courageous rescue of two children while using a scaling ladder under dangerous conditions on Christmas Eve in 1968.

Joe had a love of languages and he earned Masters degrees in both Russian and English as a Second Language from Queens College. After retiring from the FDNY, Joe worked at the American Embassy in Moscow.
Joe was an athlete who enjoyed running marathons, competing in triathlons, biking across Washington State, Oregon and Georgia and he was an avid golfer.

Joe and his wife, Eileen spent their retirement years in Jensen Beach, Florida, where they made many wonderful friends. They spent summers in Lake Luzerne in the Adirondacks. He and Eileen travelled to Russia, Germany, France, Austria, Medjugorje, Italy, Ireland, Turkey, Singapore, Bali and much of the United States.

Joe’s Catholic faith was extremely important to him. For much of his life he attended mass daily and he prayed for peace by reciting the Rosary every day. The rosary was always part of any road trip, and he was loved and admired for that dedication.

Joe’s outlook on life was optimistic and when his granddaughter was recently married, his wish for her was to have a ‘Happy Life!’ That is something that Joe was able to emulate in his 91 years.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the New York Firefighters Burn Center Foundation https://www.nyffburncenter.com/

Services

Visitation: October 30, 2020 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Branch Funeral Home Smithtown
190 E. Main St.
SMITHTOWN, NY 11787


Mass: October 31, 2020 10:30 am

St. Joseph RCC Kings Park
9 Church Street
KINGS PARK, NY 11754


Interment:

St. Patrick's Cemetery Smithtown
Mount Pleasant Road
SMITHTOWN, NY 11787


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Charities

The family greatly appreciates donations made to these charities in Joseph Patrick Williams 's name.

The New York Firefighters Burn Center Foundation

21 Asch Loop,
Bronx, , NY 10475

https://www.nyffburncenter.com/

Memories Timeline

Photo Gallery

Guestbook

  1. Love you dad! Forever in our Hearts.
    Give Monica and Ginger a hug for us ❤️❤️❤️
    Janine, Jay, Patrick, Sara, and Jessica

  2. You were the best father, grandfather and father-in-law that anyone could have asked for. We miss you so much already. You will forever be with us in spirit and in our hearts.
    Love you! Margaret Anne, John, Julia, Matt and Matthew.

  3. Dearest Dad/Joe,
    There aren’t enough words in the English language to adequately express how grateful we are to you for the lifetime of love and devotion you have gifted to us nor to adequately express our deep love, admiration and respect for you.
    You have truly been God’s great gift and blessing to our family and we will love you for all eternity.

    May you be at peace in the loving arms of our Lord and His mother, to whom you were so dedicated.

    We love you so.

    Until we meet again,

    Katrina, Jeff, Kiernan and Eliza

  4. It is truly impossible for me to put into words how much you meant to our family. You were our everything. Thank you for providing us with this positive outlook on life and the love to live. You have touched so many hearts; always guding people to “shoot for the moon, even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” I will cherish the time I was lucky to spend with you and take your advice for living a fulfilled life every where I go. Enjoy celebrating your 91 years of memories and accomplishments in Heaven with your countless loved ones, especially our beloved Monica. I hope you have a tee time everyday, a car to drive around town and a magnificent view of your favorite place, the beach. I will miss most, the inspiring stories you shared with me daily. I have never met someone more intelligent and amazing than you. Grandma will be showered in continuous love, so don’t you worry about her. She loved you more than life. I’ll be on the look out for signs from you and Monica. I love you with my whole heart, Captain Joe. Love always, Makayla xo

  5. Thinking of a wonderful man with a warm smile. The Williams family is in our thoughts and prayers. I hope he’s catching up with my Dad up there! XXOO

    • Thanks so much! He and your dad had so many good times together. I’m sure they are enjoying catching up. Please give our best to you mom.

  6. We met joe and his wonderful family when we bought next door to them in lake luzerne. We felt an immediate connection to the whole family and have become friends over the years. Rest in peace Joe an everyday, unsung hero. We especially admired his devotion to his faith. Love to all and may God comfort you at this time.

    • Thanks very much Liz and Jim! He was always so happy to have you both as such wonderful neighbors at the lake.

  7. Joe, your light on this world is one that will never fade. You were the focal point of our lives, you have always been the glue of our family. There are so many traits of yours that are truly inspiring…from your determination, to your selflessness, and your love and grace, the list could go on forever. I remember from a young age my dad shared with me, “You have a lot to learn from Joe”.
    We all know that any person who crossed paths with you in your beautiful and venturesome 91 years of life was touched by your heart of gold.
    You’re up with the angels now Joe, reuniting with all of your loved ones. Please send us signs from heaven so we know you are always with us.
    Until we meet again…I love you to the moon and back.
    Love Always,
    Christina

  8. candleJoe, thank you for being my Hero, my best friend, my Everything. You taught me not only the game of golf but the game of life. You taught me to love and appreciate everyday we are given to be on this beautiful earth. You fought through everything life threw at you, teaching me to never give up. Even though I am no longer able to hug you everyday or swing golf clubs with you, I will love, miss and pray for you forever. I will continue to laugh about the jokes you told me and will cherish the memories we made to last a lifetime. I will watch over Grandma and give her extra hugs just as you would. I want to follow in your footsteps and live life to its fullest. Thank you for making our life so beautiful and for showing us how much there is to the world. Thank you for always studying with me for school and praying for me that I will pass my exams(I couldn’t have done it without you)! I will miss going to church together the most and getting bagels afterwards to eat at the Kings Park Bluff. Listening to all of your stories inspired me so much that I wish you wrote a book about them all for others to hear how heroic of a man you are. The journey we have together isn’t over as I will see you again. I know you will still be with us everyday, this time as our Angel. I love you Joe!!! I know you’re watching over grandma, diving into the ocean at Jensen Beach Fl. and golfing bright and early. Even though I will miss you everyday, God is lucky to have you up there with Him! You are truly one in a million Captain Joe.
    Love always,
    Isabella❤️

    • Beautiful tribute to Joe! He loved you so much and was so proud of all of your accomplishments. He was especially proud of what an excellent golfer you are💜

  9. Joe you were always the best of friends and I thoroughly enjoyed your wise council and friendship with your wonderful wife Eileen.

    You will be sorely missed.

    Al Spaulding

  10. Joe,
    You said so little, so seldomly, so softly yet your message was overwhelmingly heard and accepted with love and respect.
    Our sincere sympathy & regret on Joe’s passing to the Williams family

  11. It’s unimaginable for a week to go by without seeing you or hearing you crack a joke over the phone♥️ We miss you desperately. Thank you for sending us all the beautiful signs this past week, it reassures you’re watching over us. Love to you and all our angels above. Love always, Makayla xo

  12. It was an honor and blessing to have known Eileen and Joe … he was a kind and gentle man … we shall miss him

    Al and Dorothy Spaulding


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