Joseph Alexander
SARATOGA SPRINGS —Joseph Alexander, 84, found eternal peace surrounded by loved ones on Sunday, August 25, 2024.
Joseph was born on April 15, 1940 in Ticonderoga, NY, the fifth son of Guy and Blanche Alexander. He grew up in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains in North Creek, NY. He attended Johnsburgh Central School District and later attended SUNY Potsdam where he played collegiate basketball and received his BA in Elementary Education in 1962. He then went on to earn two Master’s Degrees from SUNY Plattsburgh; MA in elementary education and MA in education administration. He taught the lion’s share of his 37-year teaching career at Greenfield Elementary School in the Saratoga Springs School District. The students that had the pleasure of sitting in his classroom remember his warmth, kindness, and charismatic personality. His students remember him reading to the class; the bobsled run in the winter and the annual backyard pool gathering in the summer.
In June of 1964 he married Donna Taberski, and they would be by each other’s sides for another 60 years. He is survived by his daughter Christine Alexander-Decker, MD (Edward) and his two grandchildren Hannah and Sarah. He adored watching his granddaughters grow into the women they are today.
He is also survived by his older brother Jack Alexander (Hilda) of North Creek, NY and his younger sister, Nancy Choppa of Virginia Beach, VA; his brother and sister-in-law, Ronald and Mary Ann Johnson of Scotia, NY, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was known as the Adirondack Guide to his family and friends due to his love of the outdoors and specifically the Adirondack Mountains. He was known to weave a tall tale or two in his time. He was a member emeritus of the Moose Pond Club of Minerva, NY where he spent many of his childhood summers exploring the pond and leading his friends through adventures in the woods.
In his free time, he most enjoyed skiing the trails of Gore Mountain, where he learned to ski as a young boy. His favorite trail, hands down, was Showcase. He had the most beautiful form and natural flow on skis. He and Donna loved to travel and visited many sites in the US and abroad in retirement. They were active parishioners of St. Joseph’s R. C. Church in Greenfield Center, NY.
Joseph was loved by all who had the privilege of knowing him. He was a dependable, honest and an upstanding member of the Saratoga Springs community. He was a true family man, and he exuded a loving personality that stayed with him until his passing.
Joseph fought a long hard battle with Colon Cancer for ten years. He quietly endured his situation without complaint. His family would like to thank his team of incredible doctors who fought alongside him and kept him comfortable during his time of need. Special thanks to Dr. John Pezzulo and Dr. John Mongan along with the dedicated and compassionate staff of Community Hospice of Saratoga.
Family and friends are invited to calling hours from 5-8 p.m. on Friday August 30 at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (518-584-5373).
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph’s R.C. Church in Greenfield Center, NY on Saturday, August 31 at 12 noon, followed by burial in St. Peter’s Cemetery, West Ave., Saratoga Springs.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Joseph to Community Hospice of Saratoga.
Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com