HUDSON FALLS – Joseph W. Potvin of Circular Drive, Hudson Falls and Honeysuckle Lane, Lake George passed away on June 16, 2017 due to Multiple Sclerosis and chronic kidney disease.
Joe was born on May 9, 1942 in New Rochelle, NY, and was the son of the late Dr. Mitchell L. Potvin and Annabelle (Glass) Potvin of Hudson Falls and Cleverdale. He was married to his best friend and love of his life, Patricia Fraser Potvin, for 49 years. Their 50th wedding anniversary is August 5. Together they enjoyed a life centered around their home, family and friends.
Joe was the youngest of four children. When he was five the family moved from 29 Valley Road in Larchmont to 5 Clark Street in Hudson Falls where his dad was born and raised and where he set up his dental practice. Joe was a 1956 graduate of St. Mary’s Parochial School in Hudson Falls, a 1960 graduate of St. Francis Prep School in Spring Grove, PA where he was editor of the yearbook. In June of that year he entered the Franciscan Order Sacred Heart Province Seminary in Loretto, PA. After staying for almost three years he transferred to Niagara University and graduated in 1965 with a degree in the Classics and a minor in English and Philosophy. In 1967 he received a Master of Arts degree in Educational Administration also from Niagara University. In 1982 he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis but that did not stop him from teaching for another 20 years due to the strength of his family, friends and teachers. The students will remember him as the teacher in the electric scooter going down the hallways, smiling, laughing and having a good time. Joe loved teaching and was an inspiration to all of his students and in 1984 the Glens Falls High School yearbook, The Red and Black, was dedicated to him. In 1994 Joe received a very high honor and was one of six teachers selected as a Master Teacher. He was senior class advisor for 25 years and he loved helping students in any way he could. He taught for 35 years, one year at Redhook Central School and the next 34 years at Glens Falls High School teaching English and American Literature and Latin. Joe also taught English at Hudson Falls High School during summer school for 30 years. He was past president of the Hudson Falls Kiwanis Club, a 23 year member and treasurer of Hudson Falls Tiger Tracker Booster Club, a Trustee and Secretary of the Hudson Falls Free Library and a Trustee of the Sandy Hill and Fort Edward Union Cemetery. He also taught religious education at St. Mary’s and took care of the flowers in front of the Church. His faith and community were a very important part of his life.
Joe’s second love was Lake George, especially Cleverdale, where he summered as a child until he got married in 1967. He loved waterskiing, swimming, boating, hiking and jumping off the cliffs with his friends. In the winter he loved downhill skiing at West Mountain and Gore Mountain.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Patricia, his children, Lisa (Steve) Jackoski of Cleverdale, NY, Heather (Malcolm) Potvin Faulds of Arlington, MA; Matthew J.(Maria) Potvin of Castleton-on-Hudson, NY; Catharine E. (Matthew) Potvin Brown of Slingerlands, NY; five grandchildren, Maxwell Jackoski, Alyssa and George Potvin, and Riley and Hunter Faulds; his siblings William (Lynn) Potvin, Mitchell Lee (Norma) Potvin, and Anne Marie (William) Mather; 22 nieces and nephews and 39 grand nieces and nephews.
Friends may call at 10am on Thursday, June 22 at St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s Church, on the park in Hudson Falls.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11am at St Mary’s/St. Paul’s Church, with Father Thomas Babiuch, following the calling hour.
The Right of Committal will immediately follow at St Paul’s Cemetery in the Town of Kingsbury.
In lieu of flowers please make donations payable to Special Olympics NY, c/o Max’s Buddies, PO Box 166, Cleverdale, NY 12820.
Arrangements are under the care of the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street in Hudson Falls.
To Joe’s family
I was deeply saddened to read of Joe’s passing. I knew Joe from my years of working for the GFCSD in the Admin. Bldg. I admired him for his for his courage, his heart, but mostly that beautiful smile.
May you keep that smile with you always in your hearts.
With my deepest sympathy
Beverly Penning
Columbia, SC
Sending thoughts and prayers to the Family. Will miss his beautiful smile . He was one in a million .
Joe Potvin was a true inspiration and guiding force at Glens Falls High School. I had the privilege to take Latin for two years from 2001-2002. My father, uncles, and brother also had the privilege to be taught by Mr. Potvin. I still tell stories of his classes to friends and family. Truly a great loss for the community. Rest In Peace.
My deepest sympathy on the loss of such a wonderful person, husband, father and grandfather. An inspiration to all facing the challenges he did and continue to spread that smile and kindness that never failed. Thoughts and prayers to all of the Potvin family.
My deepest sympathy to Mr Potvins family and friends. A great teacher is a warm, accessible, enthusiastic, caring, person who shows students respect, creates a sense of community and belonging in the classroom, sets high expectations for all students to reach their full potential, and has his own love of learning and last but not least a great teacher is a skilled listener and a skilled leader!!! Mr Potvin was all of this and more. His sense of humour and wit was his secret tool for teaching the unteachable!! You will be missed more than words can describe!
So sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. I know that you will all miss him. He played a great part in the life of both Glens Falls and Hudson Falls Schools. Our family is sending you our thoughts and prayers. Keep the faith.
So sad to read about “Joey”. I was a friend of his sister Anne’s. Joe spent a lot of time with us. I loved his sweet smile. He had a great wit and sense of humor. My sympathies go out to his family.
To Joe’s Family,
Joe was 2 years and 9 days older than me. I knew Joe from our days at the Prep, in Spring Grove, PA. When I was a Freshman, Joe was a Junior. He was very “cool” and laid back. He “helped me out” on a few occasions having to deal with the Seniors and PG’s. Those days there was “hazing” on the Freshman.
So very sorry to read of his passing and his former health problems. I too, have had and continue to have many health issues. Joe WILL be remembered in my prayers…
Peter and I were sorry to read of Mr. Potvins passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. What a nice man. Sincerely , Gail and Peter luciano
Dear Pat & Family,
Sue and I were sadded to hear of the passing of Joseph. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely, John & Suzanne Hinchliffe
A great man on so many levels….a wonderful teacher, a man of intellect and humor, of compassion and truth. Such a great mind and an engaging human being. I have never enjoyed the presence of an educator as much as having Mr. Potvin for both English and Latin classes. He was the bright spot in my day, and a man whom all the students loved with genuine devotion. He will be missed and his legacy is one I will always hold dear to me. He served so many communities for so many years, and I hope his love and dedication are reflected by all who knew him for years to come. God bless you, Mr. Potvin.
Pat – Sorry foryour loss. I’ll be thinking of you & your family. Brenda Ross
Just wanted to say how sorry I am for your loss. I didn’t know him well but I went to school with Mitchell (younger) and I’m praying for all your family. Diane
Our deepest condolences. Joe was a charming and engaging man whose conversations were always enjoyable. We were so sad to hear of his passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Sad to read about his passing. Good memories of playing ‘kick the can’ on Lackey Road. Cleverdale with Joey and the “older” kids. We met again at Niagara University when I was an incoming
Freshman. He was always the source of great advice! Rest in the Lord’s Peace and Love.
Mr. Potvin was one of my favorite teachers, I missed him after I graduated in 1994. I am so sorry for your loss
I was shocked and saddened to learn of Joe’s passing and couldn’t stop thinking of a Latin phrase Millie Baker drummed into our heads: when we were in high school, “vini, vidi, vici” …I came, I saw, I conquered” Despite your thirty year battle with MS, your body might have been ravished but your indomitable spirit and wit remained untouched and beautiful. Of course you could fight because Pat was by your side for fifty years “in sickness and health ti death do us part” And you, Joe, were an emperor far more successful than Caesar for you were committed to family and community and education. Rog and I offer our condolences and prayers to your family.
GFHS Class of 1974
I remember Mr Potvin well and I believe it is where I obtained my obsession for spelling & grammar!
My condolences to his friends & family.
I had the privilege of teaching with Joe for 27 years. He was the epitome of teaching excellence. His heroism in facing his illness was inspirational and his human goodness was was a gift to all who knew him. He was in all respects a gentleman and a scholar.
we were in grade school together miss you Also took care of you at the renal center.
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