Joseph E. Tomazin, Sr.

Joseph Tomazin, 92, entered eternal rest on January 10, 2026. Born August 13, 1933, to John and Agnes (Konchon) Tomazin, in Browndale, Pa., Joe was the seventh of eight children. He is survived by his sister Dorothy Ludlum of Longmont, Colorado, and by sisters-in-law Karen Doolittle, Thelma Wright and Delores Carra. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his dear wife Julia (Doolittle) and son-in-law Calvin Gehen, and his brothers, Herman, Albert, Edward, Leonard, and John. Also predeceasing him are his sister Agnes Lahoda, father- and mother-in-law Cletus and Thelma Doolittle, brothers-in-law Henry Lahoda and Henry Ludlum, and sister-in-law Ann Tomazin. Other departed relatives include brothers-in-law Cletus Doolittle, Jr., Bill Doolittle, Arthur Doolittle, and Frank Carra, and sister-in-law Bernadette Slick.

Joe and Julie were the proud parents of six children, Carol Gehen of Newark Valley, Joseph Jr. (Kris) of Newark Valley, Deborah (Anthony) D’Angelo of Camillus, NY, Martin (Cindy) of Wallkill, NY, Robert (Julie) of Berkshire, and Kenneth (Sheila) of Boca Raton, Florida. They are survived by 15 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren, who brought them great joy and laughter, and many cherished nieces and nephews.

Joe had many interesting adventures as a young man, mostly involving ways to earn money. In high school he raised mink and picked wild blueberries to sell. He also walked to and from school, which was quite a distance, and he would often be late. Later, he spent some time working on the railroads and was away from home for the week, returning on the weekends. He met Julie and was smitten and heard she would be at a dance in the adjoining town. He illegally parked his car and found her at the dance. They were married January 29, 1955, while Joe was serving in the Air Force.

He was stationed in Savannah, Georgia. Carol and Joe Jr. were born there, and upon Joe’s discharge the young family towed their trailer home north to be closer to family. Joe quickly found a job at IBM in Owego and the family moved the trailer to West Creek Road. A couple of years later Debbie and then Marty were born. With the help of a local carpenter and his brothers on the weekends, Joe built a modest ranch house. They moved in on Election Day 1960. Later, when Bob and Ken were born, an addition was built. It was a home full of love and the antics of six children and later grandchildren.

After Joe retired from IBM, he and Julie enjoyed winters in North Carolina. They were able to spend time with her brothers and sisters and their spouses and truly enjoyed this season of their lives. They always returned to New York in time for Mother’s Day and a summer full of family barbecues and gatherings, and the annual Doolittle reunion. Joe was a family man in every sense of the word. He took great pride and pleasure in caring for his family and home. A dedicated and loving husband and father, Joe was also a man of faith. Joe and Julie were among the first members of St. John the Evangelist Church in Newark Valley, and always made sure the family attended church every Sunday. We are so grateful for such good parents that taught us to love, the importance of family, and how to work hard.

The family would like to thank those that helped us to make our father’s final years safer, comfortable, and more enjoyable: Domanique, Sue, Darlene, and especially Jessica, who has been with us through it all. We would also like to thank the nurses and nurse’s aides at Willow Point Nursing home for their kind and compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a gift to Rural Ministries in memory of Joseph and Julia Tomazin.

Relatives and friends are invited to a period of visitation on Saturday, January 17, 2026, from 10:30 to 11:30 at the MacPherson Funeral Home, 5 Whig Street, Newark Valley. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 12:00 noon, at St. John the Evangelist Church, 28 Rock Street, Newark Valley. Joe will be laid to rest in Hope Cemetery next to his wife Julia in the spring. Memories and condolences can be shared in his online guest book at www.macphersonfh.com