Obituary of Joseph Vincent Branigan

DELHI Branigan, Joseph Vincent, Jr. of West Palm Beach, Florida and Delhi, New York, died peacefully on March 24, 2012 surrounded by his family at the JFK Medical Center following complications from heart disease and diabetes. Joe was born in Cooperstown on June 16, 1935, the son of Mary Ellen Filburn Branigan and Joseph V. Branigan, Sr. Joe grew up on the family farm in Richfield Springs, and continued to work on the farm after he graduated from high school. His sister Rosemary introduced him to her college roommate and the love of his life, Margaret Ann Hoffay of Kingston, and the two were married on April 27, 1957. During the early years of his marriage he continued his work on the family farm, as well as working at Chicago Pneumatic in Utica and driving a milk route. In 1967 Joe became an agent for Farm Family Life Insurance Company, and the family moved to Delhi to be closer to his clients. Joe worked for Farm Family for over 30 years before retiring. Joe thoroughly enjoyed working with people and considered those he insured as his friends, not his clients. Joe joined the Delhi Ambulance and was a certified EMT, and later joined the Delhi Fire Company, where he was often asked to train the new recruits on driving the big truck. In their retirement Joe and Marge purchased a condominium in Boundbrook, West Palm Beach, affectionately known as "Little Delhi"? where they enjoyed the company of many old and new friends. Joe was predeceased by his parents and by his sister Rosemary Branigan. He is survived by his brother Martin (Glenice) Branigan and sister Barbara (William) Armstrong. In addition to his wife, Joe is also survived by his children, Daniel (Janet) Branigan, Loretta Tobin, Kevin (Pam) Branigan, Theresa (Peter) Skovira, and Michael (Stacy) Branigan, and their children Erin and Ryan Branigan, Joseph (Heidi), Kelly, Caitlyn, Patrick and Lindsey Branigan, Michael, Jonathan and Kyle Skovira, Hope and Ted Tobin, and Benton, William, Lucas and Tyler Branigan, as well as five great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. A Funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, 4 Cross Street, Delhi, New York, with the Very Reverend Thomas A. Krupa officiating. Friends and family may call at the MacArthur Funeral Home, 131 Main Street, Delhi from 4 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, May 18, 2012. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Richfield Springs at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Joe's name to the Delhi Fire Company, P.O. Box 405, Delhi, New York, 13753. Condolences for the family may be left online at www.macarthurfh.com. Local arrangements are by the MacArthur Funeral Home of Delhi.