Joseph P. Awad, 91, of Oneida

ONEIDA>> Joseph P. Awad, 91, of Route 365, died Tuesday evening, April 11, 2017, after a brief illness at The Cottages in Cicero, N.Y. surrounded by his family.

Born in Oneida, N.Y. on Aug. 2, 1925, Joseph was the son of Philip George Awad (Kmeid) and Philomena Ferris Akiki. Joseph was a graduate of Oneida High School class of 1942 and lived his entire life in the Oneida area. He married Theresa Prusinowski on July 5, 1952 in St. Patrick’s Church in Taberg, N.Y.

Joe went to work at Revere Copper and Brass in Rome, N.Y. in 1944 and worked there for 42 years until his retirement in 1986. While employed at Revere, Joe simultaneously owned a produce farm and stand with his wife Tess and his two sons. Joe operated the farm and stand from 1955 until 1998, growing and selling fresh produce of every kind, becoming famous for his sweet corn. He exemplified what it means to have a green thumb. Joe loved to work the land and oper- ate his tractors, numerous trucks, and farm equipment.

Joe was very proud of his Lebanese heritage. He was the 1st generation born in America, his father having immigrated here in 1910 followed by his mother a few years later. Like so many of that generation, his parents came with nothing and established a family homestead through grit, determination, and hard work. Joe became a great example of that work ethic, routinely putting in 16-hour workdays.

He was a communicant of St. Patrick’s Church in Oneida. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and was involved with the Boy Scouts. Joe was a son, brother, father, grandfather, uncle, brother-in-law, co-worker, and neighbor that everyone around him would routinely rely on over the years. He would go out of his way to help and was willing to give the shirt off his back if needed. His greatest example of giving was his care for his wife, Tess, whom he took care of in their home for many years during her extended illness.

Joe enjoyed vacationing winters with Tess in Cocoa Beach, Fla. He was devoted to his children, grandchildren, greatgrandchildren and extended family; they were the greatest joys in his life. He touched many outside the family with his manner, interest in their lives, storytelling, and humor. He had a keen mind and memory that astonished anyone who knew him. He had an abundance of accumulated life wisdom that he shared even in his last days.

Surviving are two sons and daughters-in-law, Joseph P. Awad Jr. and Melanie of Muttontown, N.Y. and James E. Awad and Maureen of Liverpool, N.Y.; five grandchildren, Matthew (Sandra), Jason (Elisha), Alexandria, Ariana and Katharine; five greatgrandchildren, Christian, Braden, Wills, Avery, and Henry; two sisters-in-law, Clara Williams and Agnes Reber; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Theresa; brother George Awad and sister-in-law Mary Awad; his sister Marion Cierek and brother-inlaw Walter Cierek; former daughter-in-law Julie Pichardo; sisters-in-law, Lillian Masztak, Helen Deeley, Sally Stoddard, Frances Williams, and Mary Siebel; brothers-in-law, Frank, John, Edward, and Leo Prusinowski; and three nieces and a nephew.

The family would like to thank Dr. Daniel Fuleihan for his expert medical care that was surpassed only by his compassion for Joe and our family.

Funeral services will be held 10 a.m., Tuesday from the Campbell-Dean Funeral Home, Inc., 260 Main St., Oneida and 10:30 a.m. from St. Patrick’s Church, where the Funeral Mass will be celebrated by the Rev. William Mesmer. Interment to follow at St. Patrick’s Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home, 3-7 p.m., Monday. Contributions in his memory can be made to St. Patrick’s Church or St. Patrick’s School, Oneida, N.Y. To leave a message of condolence, please visit www. campbell-dean.com.

CAMPBELL-DEAN FUNERAL HOME, INC.

Oneida