Obituary of Joseph G. Dickerson

Joseph G. Dickerson, 78, of Apalachin, died unexpectedly Friday evening, September 12, 2003, at Wilson Memorial Regional Center. He was predeceased by his wives, Constance Mills Dickerson, Honor Kelly Dickerson; his parents, Charlotte and Joseph Dickerson; his brothers, Robert and Thomas Dickerson; and a stepson, Patrick Kelly. He is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law, Mark and Joyce Dickerson, Riverview, Fla., Scott Dickerson, Apalachin; a daughter and son-in-law, Sheila and Patrick Cheevers, Binghamton; stepchildren, Maureen and Dr. Richard Arnold, Canada, Michael Kelly, Fla., Mary and Daniel Edwards, Binghamton; 11 grandchildren; very special friend, Celia David, Vestal; several nieces and nephews. He was a member of Blessed Trininty Parish at St. Margaret Mary's Church, Apalachin. Joe retired from the Binghamton School District, where he taught for over 30 years. He was a graduate of Hartwick College, receiving his B.S. Degree and Masters in Science from Ithaca College in Music Education. He was a member of American Federation of Musicians Local 380 and played with numerous groups, including Terrell-Masters Orchestra, the Versatiles, Royal Garden Dixieland Band, Mason Warrington Orchestra, the Blue Velvet Band, and the Binghamton Philharmonic Concert Band. He was an Army veteran of World War II and the Korean War, and a member of 298th U.S. Army Ground Forces Band and 9th Infantry Division Band. He was a lifetime member of V.F.W. Post 478 and American Legion Post 80. Funeral services will be held at the J.A. McCormack Sons Funeral Home, 141 Main St., Binghamton, Wednesday at 9 a.m., and at 10 a.m. at Blessed Trinity Parish at St. Margaret Mary's Church, where a Funeral Mass will be offered. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Johnson City. The family will receive friends at the McCormack Funeral Home Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Joe may be made to Binghamton School District Music Program, c/o Board of Education, 164 Hawley St., Binghamton, N.Y. 13901.