The Official And Unofficial Obituaries of Joseph Turcotte.

Joe at the helm

As sadly promised here is an update of the tragic passing of one of the pillars of our community Joe Turcotte. This was published in the Post Star and linked here. But we also are publishing it here.
Jan. 9, 1981 — Sept. 26, 2019

BRANT LAKE — Joseph D. Turcotte, 38, of Brant Lake, died tragically in an automobile accident Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019. He was born on Jan. 9, 1981, in Albany. Joe was a graduate of North Warren Central School and Cornell University.

He was the devoted husband of Amy Turcotte, son of Thomas and Cynthia Turcotte, son-in-law of Bruce and Charlene Hiller, brother of Thomas and Jennifer Turcotte, Michael Turcotte, and uncle to Thomas Grant Turcotte.

Joe was passionate about his work as a proud partner and master craftsman at Gar Wood Custom Boats, with his brother, Thomas R. Turcotte II and other family members and employees. He was an active member of his local community. Joe enjoyed boating with his family and friends, four-wheeling, cooking for his wife, Packers games, snowmobiling, fishing and all else that life had to offer.

He was predeceased by his grandmother, Frances DeMato, and aunt, Deborah DeMato.

Besides his wife, parents, in-laws and siblings, Joe is survived by his grandparents, Thomas and Frances Turcotte and Joseph DeMato; brother-in-law, Jason Hiller; his aunts and uncles, including James and Gloria DeMato, Roger and Sally Turcotte, Larry and Karen Turcotte, and Diane and Richard Thompson. Joe is also survived by many cousins, all of whom he considered brothers and sisters, including Larry, Greg, Sarah, Roger and Lee Turcotte; Jennifer Kelly; Kathleen Andrews and Anthony DeMato. Joe was loved by countless friends too numerous to list.

Friends may call on Joe’s family from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2, at Barton-McDermott Funeral Home, Inc., 9 Pine St., Chestertown. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct 3, at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church, Church St. and Riverside Dr., Chestertown.

He will be loved forever and profoundly missed.

That’s the official one, and with all the respect and from,  here is a less official one. A classic boaters one.

Joe Turcotte 38 passed away after being senselessly hit by some idiot running from the police. Joe was more than just a great guy, he was a giver,  husband, son, grandson, brother, uncle, and good neighbor to anyone. He was more than a partner and master craftsman, he was a good man. A term so over used, but so deserving to so few. Joe was truly everything that term deserves. He will be missed by his family for sure, but also countless more in a larger community around the globe. Joe’s craftsmanship and standards are recognized and honored in every Gar Wood Custom Boat out there and in the future. Standards and passion are timeless and live forever. Love, family and warmth are timeless and live forever, and Joe embodied all of that. Joe’s laugh and smiles will be greatly missed, but thankfully for all of us in this small community of passionate classic boaters, we all know he lives on in the art he created and shared with pride and joy. All we need to do to meet Joe again, is to go out and ride with him on his boats. He’s there in every grain of wood, in every sound of a rumbling engine, and the smile of every passenger! See you on the water Joe.