LeRoy - Joseph P. Dillon, age 83, passed away Saturday afternoon (August 10, 2013) at the New York State Veterans Home in Batavia.
Mr. Dillon was born June 5, 1930 in Syracuse, a son of the late James and Emma (Schweitzer) Dillon. He was the 11th of 13 children.
Joe was drafted into the U.S. Army in June 1951. The highlight of his service came while serving with the engineers from Fort Worden Washington responsible for building up Camp Desert Rock Nevada in 1952. This service involved building up the Camp and participating in Operation Tumbler-Snapper. He was one of many soldiers who observed and were exposed to multiple open air nuclear tests. He received his Honorable Discharge in June 1953.
After completing his military service, Joe went to work for The Continental Can Company in Syracuse. He relocated with CCC to Le Roy, NY in 1966 and retired from “the Can” in 1977. Joe also later retired from the Genesee Country museum. Joe also spent many years as a bartender at The Eagle Hotel, Downtown Le Roy and the American Legion Post 576 in Le Roy.
He was a member of Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Le Roy and the American Legion Post 576, Le Roy, N.Y.
Known as ‘Poppy’ to his grandchildren, Joe is survived by his wife, Mary (Hewitt), children, Thomas (Teresa), Mary Ellen (Kevin) Hausman, Paul (Julie), Peter (Susan) and Siobhan (Todd) Salzman; Grandchildren Meghan and Brenna Dillon; Emily Hausman and her husband Rabbi Joseph Robinson, Katie and Max Hausman, Jena, Sean, Enya and Quinten Dillon; Claire and Grace Dillon; Jack Salzman and Emily Chavez, great-grandchildren Ruth and Liam Robinson, sister Bernadette (Jim) Roberts, 18 nieces and nephews and several grand nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers John, James, George, Anthony, Alfred; and sisters, Ann Gallagher, Lucille Chiasson, Catherine, Mary, Jane and Emma.
The family will receive friends on Friday from 4 ~ 7 PM at the Falcone Family Funeral & Cremation Service Inc., 8700 Lake Road (Rt 19), LeRoy. His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, August 17 at 11 AM at Our Lady of Mercy Parish (St. Peter’s Church), 44 Lake Street, with interment to follow in St. Francis Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the New York State Veterans Home at Batavia, Activities Fund, 220 Richmond Ave, Batavia, NY 14020.
Mr. Dillon and his family are being cared for by the Falcone Family Funeral & Cremation Service Inc. For any additional information, please call Vern at 585-768-2400.
