Joseph B. VanDerwerken, Sr.

HUDSON FALLS – Joseph B. VanDerwerken, Sr., 77, of Brenda Drive, passed away peacefully at Glens Falls Hospital, with his family at his side, on Tuesday, March 14, 2017.

Born on December 9, 1939, in Watervliet, he was the son of the late Henry and Mary (Bulson) VanDerwerken.

He received his bachelor’s degree from Rochester Institute of Technology.

On June 1, 1963, he was united in marriage to Maureen Benn in Albany, just prior to his enlistment in the U.S. Army.
Joseph proudly served his county as a corpsman in the Army, stationed in Chinon, France.

Prior to his time in the service, he worked at Albany Medical Center, and upon returning from his deployment, Joseph resumed his career and was promoted to Supervisor of the Central Service Department. While at Albany Medical Center, Joseph was notified by the Dudley Observatory and was asked to sterilize the collection box going up in the Gemini space capsule, which was used to collect atmospheric particles. To do this, he used a new technique using ethylene oxide to perform the sterilization. He was asked to work at Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, applying the ethylene oxide technique. Joseph wrote an article on the new technique in sterilizing hospital equipment, which was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. He continued to work with Bassett Hospital until Glens Falls Hospital put on their expansion, and he was asked to design and supervise Central Services. Following his career at Glens Falls Hospital, as Director of Central Services, he began working for Albany BOCES, as a health and safety specialist until his retirement in 2004.

Joseph was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Hudson Falls and was also on the Hudson Falls School Board for 13 years. He was a past treasure of the Kingsbury/Hudson Falls Senior Center and was an active member of North Eastern Woodworkers Association. Joseph was proud to have made the woodworking kits for Kingsbury Recreational Summer Craft Program. He was a quiet man, and never boasted about his many accomplishments. He was a devoted father, who taught his sons everything from woodworking to how they lead their lives. He was a craftsman; creating beautiful furniture, doll houses, and he also loved repairing antiques. Joseph enjoyed fishing in the Adirondacks and was an avid photographer, leaving behind many beautiful photos.

In addition to his parents, Joseph was predeceased by his sister, Louise (Elder) Decker; his nephew, Thomas Decker; and his two brothers, Michael and Henry VanDerwerken.

Survivors include, his loving wife of 53 years, Maureen VanDerwerken of Hudson Falls; his two sons, Joseph B. VanDerwerken, Jr., and his wife, Amy of Rochester, and Michael VanDerwerken and his wife, Trisha of Queensbury; his nieces and nephews, Henry VanDerwerken and his wife, Erin, John VanDerwerken, Wendy Hayes and her husband, Chris, Mary Riley and her husband, Peter, David Disonell and his wife, Karen, Dawn Weisburgh and her husband, Phil; his grand-nieces and grand-nephews, Charlie and Connor VanDerwerken, Pamela Riley and her daughter, Olivia, Lynn Riley and her partner, Sheri; his sister-in-law, Elma Disonell and her husband, Joe.

A special thanks to Dr. Ann Corey, and the staff at Hudson Headwaters; the Glens Falls Hospital, Dr. Greg Kelly, Dr. Harry Slatch, Dr. Michael Perrotti, Dr. David Shaffer, Dr. Richard Leach; Saratoga Hospice; and the Fort Edward Rescue Squad for their wonderful care and compassion given to Joseph and his family.

Friends may call on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street in Hudson Falls.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Monday at the funeral home with The Reverend Michael Plank, officiating.

A burial with full military honors will follow the service at 1:30 p.m. on Monday at the Gerald B. H. Solomon-Saratoga National Cemetery in Stillwater.

Donations in Joseph’s name may be made to the Shriners, 75 Water Plant Rd, Troy, NY 12182, or Fort Edward Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 226, Fort Edward, NY 12828.