Mr. Joseph S. "Joe" Tahan

Mr. Joseph S. “Joe” Tahan, a man who lived a happy and fulfilling life and kept his eye on the responsibilities of tomorrow, passed away peacefully at the St. Elizabeth Medical Center on Wednesday, February 18, 2015 at the age of 95. At the time of his passing, Joe was surrounded by his entire family. Born in Utica on March 8, 1919, Joseph was the son of the late Albert and Genevieve (Srour) Tahan. He attended St. John’s Catholic Church Elementary School. Joe was drafted into the United States Army in 1941 and honorably served his country during World War II until his discharge in 1945. During those years, he participated in the early campaigns in North Africa and he was in the front lines during the allied invasion of Italy at the Battle of Anzio. He also fought in battles at Naples, Foggia, Rhineland, Rome, Arno, and Southern France. He was awarded the American Defense Service Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Purple Heart for wounds he sustained during battle. On November 19, 1949, Joe married the former Violette Hajjar with whom he shared 65 years; they were true companions, loyal, well-matched, social, and very much in love. On every card Joe gave to Violette he inscribed the sentiment “still crazy about you”. As a boy, Joe sold newspapers and worked alongside his father at Tahan Brothers Grocery Store, a family concern located on Bleecker Street. After the war, he sold household items door-to-door and neighborhood patrons knew that whatever you wanted, Joe would get it for you. He referred to himself as a peddler and through his honesty, ingenuity, and get-up-and-go, he formed many friendships that he never forgot. It was in 1966 that he established a furniture store on Dominick Street in Rome. After a tragic fire, the store was lost and Joe returned to his expertise in personally providing goods and services door-to-door. In 1975 he had the resources to reopen Joe Tahan’s Furniture on Ridge Street in Rome, and in 1980 relocated to Henry Street in Rome which is still in operation today. In 2005 he established Joe Tahan’s Furniture on Commercial Drive in Yorkville, and in 2007 he launched Joe Tahan’s Furniture Outlet on Campion Road in New Hartford. Joe saw the wisdom of the big picture and he knew the joy of creative thinking. The business remains strong under the guidance of the present generation of his children, grandchildren, and a team of loyal employees; a blessing that made him so proud. The right thoughts in collaboration with the right people gave him the realization of outstanding results. The fabric of Joe’s life was woven with humor, creativity, honesty, passion, and generosity. He was the source of many acts of kindness that were only known to the Lord. Central to his life was his love of family, and he will be remembered as an honorable man. He always thanked his children for completing even the smallest of tasks. He was gentle, forgiving, and he never held a grudge. He was a man of few needs, but he gave in so many ways. The strength of his work ethic was exemplary and he was a gentleman in the truest sense of the word. Unflinching, he was the rock of the family. He was an outstanding listener and treated everyone with dignity. He was a man of few words, but once spoken, they had great weight. During the years he raised his family, Sunday picnics at Verona Beach and Delta Lake, were exciting and fun-filled. On Christmas Day he was always together with his children. He was a voracious reader and rooted for the NY Mets and the NY Yankees watching every baseball game of the season. Joe was a faithful parishioner of St. Louis Gonzaga Church and a member of its Holy Name Society. He was a founding member of the Syrian/American Club, the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree, and the Nocturnal Adoration Society. With his wife by his side, Joe traveled the world and amassed many memories. What touched his heart the most was the Papal Blessing he received from Pope John Paul II at the Vatican --- he was honored, humbled, and in God’s grace “he glowed”. Joseph is survived by his beloved wife, Violette; his children and their spouses, Mary M. Tahan, Bernadette and James Quenneville, Genevieve M. Tahan and fiancé Kirk Parham, Albert J. “Al” Tahan and Theresa Devereux, and George P. and Siobhan (Sweeney) Tahan; his grandchildren, Milton Barell and fiancée Alia Little, Jason and Katie Barell, and Matthew Barell; Margaret Tahan and Ebun Okubanjo, twins Joseph H. Tahan and fiancée Veronica Mudge, Albert G. Tahan, and their mother, Patricia J. Tahan; and Jack O., and Tate N. Tahan; his great-grandchildren, Violette Barell, and Jack S. Barell; and his sister, Emma Winn. He will be remembered by his many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, in-laws, Alice Tahan, Niam Hajjar, Mickey Gulla, and William Kowiatek; many extended family members, and a host of friends. He was predeceased by his sisters and brother-in-law, Sister of Charity Rita born Mary Tahan, Elinor Tahan, Susan Kassis, and Jeanette and Jewell Robert; his brothers and sister-in-law, Anthony Tahan, James A. and Rose Tahan, and John George Tahan; his brother-in-law, George Winn; and his in-laws, George and Anita Hajjar, Maggie Kowiatek, and Nadia Gulla. The family is grateful to Dr. Bhisham Garg, a great physician who personally watched over Joe; the staff of the Veterans’ Administration in Syracuse and Rome; the doctors, nurses, and staff of the St. Elizabeth Medical Center who were outstanding and genuinely polite to Joe and his family, as well; Chorbishop John Faris for his blessings and visits; and his home caregivers, niece Lisa, Medina, and Brittney. Visitation will be held Sunday from 2:00-6:00 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. The Prayer of Incense will be offered at 5:45. Memorial contributions in Joe’s honor may be considered to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Association (111 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02199) or the Feed Our Vets food pantry (205 Genesee Street, Utica, NY 13502); envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Joe’s funeral service and Celebration of Life will commence on Monday morning at 10:00 from the funeral home and at 11:00 at St. Louis Gonzaga Church where his Divine Liturgy of the Faithful Departed will be celebrated by Chorbishop John D. Faris with Military Honors conferred. Interment will take place in Calvary Cemetery at the convenience of the family. “My kids will be looking for you.” “God Bless America!”

Mr. Joseph S. "Joe" Tahan

March 8, 1919 - February 18, 2015