Obituary of Joseph Thomas Freire

Joseph Thomas Freire Pine Bush, NY Joe Freire passed away on Wednesday November 26, 2008 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Joe and his wife Vicky moved to Pine Bush eight years ago and quickly became an integral part of the Community. Joe was the president of the Walker Valley Senior Center and was a member of the Parish Council of the Church of the Infant Saviour where he also served as a Eucharist Minister. Born in Havana Cuba, Joe was raised in Brooklyn NY. Before moving to Pine Bush, Joe spent his professional career working for Bell Telephone. He became a licensed flight instructor teaching dozens of pilots the joy of flying and served as the director of the flight school at Linden Airport. Joe served his country in World War II as a radioman in the US Navy. He served aboard destroyers in the Pacific Theater and participated in the Leyte Gulf and Guadalcanal campaigns and was honorably discharged in 1945. Upon returning home he married his wife Vicky and had three daughters, Carolyn, Margie, and Vicky. Joe is also survived by his 2 grandsons, Jonathan and Joseph, his son in law John, his in laws Lee and Clara Galazzo of Walker Valley, and five nieces and nephews. Joe loved his time in Pine Bush and was proud of all the friends he and Vicky had made. They recently celebrated their 60th anniversary and renewed their vows in a ceremony in their home officiated by Fr. Kevin Gallagher, pastor of the Church of the Infant Saviour. Visitation will be held on Sunday November 30, 2008 from 3-7pm at the William M. Gagan Funeral Home Inc. 1525 Burlingham Road, Pine Bush, NY. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday December 1, 2008 at 10:00am the Church of the Infant Saviour, Rte 302 Pine Bush, with Fr. Kevin Gallagher officiating. Burial will take place in the Orange County Veterans Cemetery, Craigville Road in Goshen, NY with Full Military Honors. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Church of the Infant Saviour Building Fund, 22 Holland Ave, Pine Bush, NY 12566. Arrangements entrusted to Richard A. Lalli, Director of the William M. Gagan Funeral Home Inc., Pine Bush, NY www.wmgaganfuneralhome.com