Joseph G. "Zu Zu" Karam

Mr. Joseph G. "Zu Zu" Karam, age 72, of New Hartford, passed away in the comfort of his home on Sunday, November 16, 2008. Born in Utica on September 26, 1936, Joe was the son of the late Gabriel Joseph and Lila Mandour Karam. Raised and educated in Utica, he attended Roosevelt Elementary School and was a 1953 graduate of T. R. Proctor High School. A brilliant student, Joe entered Cornell University at the age of 16. He graduated with a degree in Economics and later attended Syracuse University where he earned his Masters Degree in Business Administration. Joe had a long and distinguished career in government contract negotiation, public finance and public policy. Joe’s early career involved international contracts and long periods overseas. Inevitably, Joe no longer could stay away from his beloved Utica. Once back home, Joe’s career blossomed at RDC, Griffiss Air Force Base. Joe demonstrated his dedication to public service by serving as Chief of Staff for Mayor Dominick Assaro, as Secretary of the Board of Contract and Supply, as Chairman of the Utica Planning Board and as a director of the Municipal Housing Authority. Joe also was a member of the United Cerebral Palsy Board of Directors. Never complacent, Joe co-authored “What Utica Needs” - a visionary blueprint for local public policy. Joe’s ideals propelled him to gain a position on Bobby Kennedy’s Presidential campaign staff and, upon Bobby’s assassination, Joe was invited to ride on the funeral train with the Kennedy family. Joe was employed at the Mohawk Valley Economic Development District for a number of years and ended his career after 26 years of employment with Mohawk Valley EDGE and the Oneida County Industrial Development Agency. A renaissance man, Joe was a singer, actor and director. Many remember Joe as Nicely Nicely in the Players’ production of Guys & Dolls, singing “Sit Down, You’re Rocking the Boat” and stealing the show. Joe served the Players of Utica in every possible capacity from backstage to the Board of Directors. Joe also was a member of B Sharp and a 40 year member of the Historic St. John’s Church choir. Joe was a founding member of the Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce Incubator advisory board. He also was a founder of the Proctor Boys Group and a member of the Cornell Alumni Association. Joe is survived by a group of cousins and their children who comprise Joe’s immediate family: Gayle and Paul Kolb, Dr. Tony and Carol Mandour, and J.K. and Hedy Hage; Jeffrey and Melissa Kolb, Lindsey Kolb, Lori and Andy Benedict, Kristy Mandour, Heather Hage, Gabriel Joseph Hage and Hannah Hage. Joe has a host of other beloved cousins and devoted friends, including Joe’s guardian angels, Paul Mazloom and Joseph “Buddy” Gigliotti. Joe was predeceased by his cherished aunt, Marie “Mimi” Mandour, who was a second mother to Joe. The family is grateful to the nurses and staff of the Dialysis Unit at the Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare Center, Dr. Charles Eldredge, and Dr. Ira Tisch. A Gathering and Celebration of Joe’s life will be held on Friday from 4:00-8:00 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc. 932 South St. corner of Hammond Ave. By family request, please omit floral offerings. For those wishing to do so, please consider memorial donations in Joe’s honor to the Players Theatre of Utica; to the Gabriel, Joseph and Lila Mandour Karam Fund of the Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties, or to the Dialysis Unit of Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare Center. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Relatives and friends respectfully are invited to attend Joe’s funeral service which will commence on Saturday morning at 10:00 at St. Louis Gonzaga Church where the Divine Liturgy of the Faithful Departed will be celebrated by Father Bassam Saade, Pastor. Entombment will follow in Calvary Mausoleum.

Joseph G. "Zu Zu" Karam

September 26, 1936 - November 16, 2008