John M. Joseph, Sr. Obituary (1920 - 2016)

Waterville-John M. Joseph, Sr., lifelong resident of Waterville, Maine, and beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, "Giddo", and friend, passed away peacefully on June 23 at his home at 1 Middle Street in Waterville. John was born on September 26, 1920, the fifth child of Lebanese immigrants Maroon and Annie (Ramya) Joseph. He graduated from Waterville High School in in 1938 and volunteered for service in the U.S. Army. Along with five of his brothers, John served our country during World War II, spending three years stationed in the Pacific. Upon the conclusion of the war, he received an honorable discharge as Staff Sergeant, returned home to Waterville, and married his dear wife, the late Mary Karter. They settled down to start their family at 1 Middle Street--next door to Maroon and Fahmi, close to their siblings and extended families, and in the heart of Waterville's thriving Lebanese community. John, his brother Peter, and their wives Mary and Barbara owned and operated the Colby College Spa for 35 years. During that time, John was a central and beloved member of the Colby community. He cheered at every Mules game, was a proud member of the Colby Key Club and the Colby C Club, and was honored when the class of 1962 dedicated its yearbook to him. To generations of Colby students, the Spa was a home away from home, and John was an icon and a hero. When a Colby student needed something--a meal, a laugh, some good advice, a job, or even a loan--it was John they called first, and John who came through. When the Josephs retired from the Spa in 1985, Colby's brand-new Spa building was christened the Joseph Family Spa in their honor, a name it bears to this day. John was a devoted member of St. Joseph's Maronite Catholic Church in Waterville. He and his wife Mary participated in and helped support nearly every aspect of the community and daily operations of the Church, which they both loved dearly. John was also a founding member of the Lebanon Youth Society and a longtime member of the Waterville Country Club, where he spent many happy hours pursuing his favorite pastime: golf. (His second-favorite pastime, playing the harmonica, he could--and did--pursue everywhere.) John was preceded in death by his wife Mary and his companion Jeanette Karter; parents Maroon and Annie; brothers Joseph, Edward, George, Elias, and Peter; sisters Lena Khoury and Mary Castleman; sister-in-law Evangeline; and brother-in-law, Nabih Khoury. John is survived by three sons and their spouses, John M Joseph Jr. & Sylvie Charron of Hallowell, ME; George & Brenda Joseph of Fayette, ME; and Joey Joseph & Melissa Quigley of Fairfield, ME. He is also survived by two brothers and their spouses, Paul & Eileen Joseph of Norwood, MA and Alfred & Ruth Joseph of Waterville; seven grandchildren and their spouses, Tessa Joseph-Nicholas & George Nicholas of Carrboro, NC; Amy Joseph Hall & Damian Hall of Freeport, ME; Caroline Joseph Eldridge & Rhett Eldridge of Farmingdale, ME; Hannah Joseph Gawrych & Anthony Gawrych of Messapeckua, NY; John M. Joseph III of Carrboro, NC; Lydia Joseph of Westbrook, ME; Ethan Quigley of Fairfield, ME; seven great-grandchildren, Corbin, Liam, Niko, Jackson, Karter, Karina and Anthony; brother-in-law Phil Castleman and sisters-in-law Barbara, Katherine, & Juanita Joseph; and numerous nieces and nephews who remember John as a warm, understanding, and loving uncle. The family extends its deepest gratitude to all who provided care, comfort, and good company during the last years of John's life, including Hospice. Family and friends may visit from 2-4 and 7-9 pm on Monday, June 27 at Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm Street, Waterville. A Liturgy of the Faithful Departed will be celebrated at 10 AM on Tuesday, June 28 at St. Joseph Maronite Catholic Church, Front Street, Waterville. Burial will follow in St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 78 Grove Street, Waterville. An online guestbook may be signed and condolences expressed at www.gallantfh.com In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in John's memory to the St. Joseph's Maronite Catholic Church Endowment Fund. Donations may be sent to St. Joseph's Maronite Church, 3 Appleton St., Waterville, ME.