Obituary of Joseph G. Desharnais

Joseph Geoffrey Desharnais, Sr., a resident of Chester for 46 years died Friday, January 9, 2015 at home. He was 84 years old. The son of was the late Joseph and Margaret Desharnais. He was born September 13, 1930 in Bronx, NY. Joseph (Jeff) was the husband of Marian Desharnais. They were married Sept. 18, 1954 and had recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with a vow renewal ceremony at St. Columba Church in Chester where they have been parishioners since moving to Chester in 1968. He served in the U.S. Navy and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He attended the Chester Golden Age Club and also enjoyed playing cards every Tuesday at the club. He was a retired bartender and never lost his love of conversing with everyone he met. A family statement reads: "Dad was a man totally dedicated to his wife and children and had such strong family values. He instilled these values into his children and nothing made him happier then to be surrounded by his family." Survivors include his loving wife: Marian at home; daughter, Laura Carbone and husband Angelo of Pleasant Valley, NY, son, Jeff Desharnais and wife Valerie of Goshen, NY, son, John Desharnais and wife Maria of Fairview, NJ, son, Michael Desharnais and wife Tara of Cornwall, NY, daughter, Terry Malone and husband Larry of Greenville, NY, son, Jim Desharnais and wife Marcela of Cortlandt Manor, NY and daughter, Margaret Desharnais of Mamaroneck, NY. He was predeceased by son, Frank Desharnais. He was a loving grandfather to Nicole Desharnais, Ryan Desharnais, Sarah Carbone, Joseph Carbone, Matthew Carbone, Marcella Desharnais, Lillian Desharnais, Geoffrey Desharnais, Ava Desharnais, Amanda Desharnais, and Grace Malone. He is also survived by his brother Ernest Desharnais and wife Anna of Lake Luzerne, NY, Brother-in-law, Vincent Viola of Pleasantville, NY and many loving nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Tuesday, January 13 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM & 7:00 to 9:00 PM at the Donovan Funeral Home, Inc., 82 South Church Street, Goshen, NY. A Mass of Christian burial will be held 10:00 am on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at St. Columba R. C. Church, 27 High St, Chester, NY. Burial will follow in St. Columba Cemetery, Chester, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations in Joseph's name may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675. www.woundedwarriorproject.org Arrangements under the care of the Donovan Funeral Home, Inc., Goshen. To leave the family a personal condolence please visit www.donovanfunerals.com