Israel Francois Joseph of Nyack, NY; 84 years of age went home to the Lord on Thursday, December 7, 2017.

Israel was born on April 2, 1933 to Anne Rose Joseph and Fabre Joseph in Pelerin, Haiti. He was the second oldest of eight children, two of which preceded his death. He migrated from Haiti in 1970, and settled in Nyack, New York where he lived for forty-seven years with his wife Marguerite Leonie Joseph. They were married on December 19, 1964 in Petion Ville, Haiti and had been married for fifty-three years. He is survived by his loving wife, Leonie- as he loved to call her; his four children Marie Judith, Jean Holly, Frantz, and Jennifer; his grandchildren, Christopher Francois, Tzar Nathan, Natalie Leanne, Christian Xavier, Daniel Elijah, and Schulyer Fabre; his siblings Adancile Angela Francois, Athanase St. Fort Joseph, Paul Marius Joseph, Jean Montclair Joseph, and Frito Joseph; and a host of nieces and nephews.

He was an active member of St. Ann’s Church in Nyack, New York where he was a Eucharistic Minister, a member of the Legion of Mary, and the Charismatic group. Israel loved to be of help to many and often gave his time and resources to the community and his family.

Over the course of his career, he was employed by various companies, but his longest tenure was at a Chromalloy as a machinist for seventeen years. After his retirement, he took great pleasure in ministering, volunteered his services, and gardening with his beloved wife.

In 2001 his health began to decline. He eventually became a resident at Nyack Manor Nursing Home for five years, and his final residency was at Tolstoy Foundation Nursing Home. Israel was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, godfather, and friend. “To know him is to love him.” He will be missed greatly by many.

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Ann's RC Church, 16 Jefferson St. Nyack, NY 10960 or the American Cancer Society.

Visitation will be held on Friday, December 15, 2017 at Saint Ann’s Church, 16 Jefferson Street, Nyack, NY 10960 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm and Saturday morning from 8 AM to 9 AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, December 16, 2017 at Saint Ann’s Church at 9:00am. Entombment will follow at St. Anthony’s Cemetery Mausoleum.