Obituary of Joseph Bistrovich

Joseph Bistrovich Joseph Bistrovich , 94, of Lee Center , passed away Sunday, May 18, 2008 at his home . He was born in Staten Island, NY on February 22, 1914 son of the late John and Victoria Bistrovich . . On September 25,1943, he married. Leona Weismuller in Lee Center Methodist Church,a happy union of sixty five years. Joe was a dairy farmer for forty years and owned Joe and Leonas Country Store in Stokes for seventeen years. He served as tax assessor for the Town Of Lee for thirty six years. Joe enjoyed demonstrating his Woodmizer Band Mill,which was the first one sold and eventually placed in the Woodmizer Museum in Indianapolis,IN.Another hobby of Joes was bee keeping. He was very active in the community. In his younger years, Joe was a Lee Center Volunteer Fireman,a grange member for sixty five years. Mr. Bistrovich was a member of the Farm Bureau,Cooperative Extension,and served on the board of Future Farmers Of America at Adirondack High School. Surviving besides his wife Leona, are two wonderful sons,Wayne and longtime companion Gloria, Lee Center, Terry and his wife Dawn, Victor, NY; a very caring daughter and son-in-law,Cindee and Don Pugh, Lee Center; three precious grandchildren,Kimberly and husband Dean Brickey,Farmington,NY,Jeffrey Fabrizio, Belleville,IL,and Brandon Pugh, Lee Center,who was a great help to his grandpa;and one great grandson, Devin Brickey. Also surviving are a sister Dorothy Sobonya,California,a brother John Bistrovich, Long Island,and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two sisters,Kate Hass and Marie Thomas,and three brothers,Steve,Frank,and Rudy Bistrovich. Joe was a wonderful husband,father,and grandfather. He will be sadly missed. Graveside services will be held on Wednesday at 11:00a.m. at Ava Cemetery, Ava. Friends may call at the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 218 W. Court St.,Rome on Tuesday from 5-7 P.M. Memorial Contributions may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 4277 Middle Settlement Road, New Hartford, N.Y.13413.