Joseph P. Reidy

Elmira-Copenhagen

Joseph P. Reidy, 72, a resident of Elmira and longtime teacher at Copenhagen Central School, died Wednesday, February 1, 2012, at his daughter’s home in Pulaski, where he was under her care and that of Oswego County Hospice.

Mr. Reidy was born in Elmira on January 1, 1940, the son of the late Patrick and Ellen McDermott Reidy. He was a graduate of Notre Dame High School in Elmira, and received his Bachelors Degree at Niagara University. He served in the Navy from 1962 to 1964. He later served in the Peace Corp in Kerala, India. Joseph was an elementary school teacher at Copenhagen Central School for twenty-nine years, retiring in 1998. Joseph became an Eagle Scout in 1954. He was an avid sportsman and a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

Joseph married Nancy Whalen at St. Patrick’s Church in Watertown in 1969. They were married for 29 years until her death in 1998. He was married to Rhonda L. Keddy in 2005; she died in 2010.

Joseph is survived by his children Shannon (Jeffrey) Eisel, and Sean (Michelle) Reidy; brother-in-law Thomas Reidy; and six grandchildren, Zoe, Tessa, Maggie, Logan, Finn, and Ellie; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 11:00 AM at St. Mary’s Church, Copenhagen, with the Rev. George F. Maroun, Pastor officiating. Private interment will take place at Glenwood Cemetery, Watertown. Funeral arrangements are with the Bezanilla-McGraw Funeral Home, Carthage.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Copenhagen Central School, 3020 Mechanic Street, Copenhagen, NY 13626, for a memorial scholorship in his name.