Joseph A. Harper

Joseph “Joe” Arthur Harper, age 90, moved on to his next job February 22, 2022.  He was the fourth of seven children born to Roy and Flora in Crown Point, NY. Throughout his life, he returned to the Adirondacks to hunt and camp and to simply enjoy the majesty of the mountains, saying he was “going up home”.

At 16, Joe lied about his age so he could work in Crown Point with the DNH Railroad. He moved on to work drilling and blasting in the iron ore mines in Mineville. He left Crown Point to join the Marines and was on the ground in the frontlines of Korean Conflict from 1952-54. He returned as a Corporal and in 1956, married Shirley Goodspeed, a sweet hometown girl. They soon moved to central New York and here raised five children in a home they built in West Monroe.

Joe believed in integrity and hard work and was an exceptional provider. He worked in construction and as a heavy equipment operator. In 1977, he went out in central New York to market his new business, Joe Harper Welding. He visited local businesses and municipalities to introduce himself and drop off his card.

This would become his life work and where he would make his name, specializing in welding and heavy equipment repair. A local business man offered this in remembrance, “Joe left a legacy in the welding industry that no one will replace.”

Joseph was preceded in death by his son Jerry in 1982 and grandson Robert in 2014.  He is survived by the love of his life and patient wife of 68 years, Shirley; son, Joseph Harper II (Anne); son, Craig Harper (Marguerite); daughter, Lorraine Dougherty (Gordon); daughter, Kimberly Harper and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The family will receive friends Saturday, February, 26, 2022 from 11a-1p at Watson Funeral Home, 631 South Main Street, Central Square, NY.

Spring burial and celebration of life will be set for the spring.

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