Obituary of Joseph Bettina

Joseph Francis Bettina Jr., was raised in Chelsea, Wappingers Falls and later moved to Pleasant Valley in 1980 with his wife Nancy, where he raised his family. He died suddenly June 22, 2012 at home surrounded by family. Joe was born in Cold Spring, New York on March 6, 1955, to parents Joseph F. Bettina Sr. and Anne V. Perpetua Bettina. He first attended St. John's Evangelist School in Beacon, New York and Our Lady of Lourdes High School in Poughkeepsie, NY. He went on to earn an Associate's degree Cum Laude from Dutchess Community College. As a young man Joe worked in the Recreation Department for IBM Corporation. He was later employed as a Conrail transportation conductor from 1978 to 1984. He went on to work for Metro North Commuter Railroad as a transportation and freight conductor until his retirement in 2002 after making many long lasting friendships over the years. Joe was a member of the Trinity Council #445 Knights of Columbus, Beacon. He was a member of St. Rocco's Italian American Society as well as the Association of Commuter Rail Employees. On April 12, 1980, he married Nancy E. Lavery of Poughkeepsie at St. Mary's Church. They met while attending Our Lady of Lourdes High School in French class at sixteen years of age, and became high school sweethearts. They enjoyed a marriage of 32 beautiful years together. Joe was strongly rooted in the arts from a young age. He participated in Battle of the Bands competitions and loved to play any musical instrument. He could always be found casually strumming the guitar while singing some of his favorite tunes. He was an avid sports fan who particularly enjoyed boxing, football, and baseball, especially his favorite team, the New York Yankees. He loved taking his family to sporting events and especially found great enjoyment in watching his children compete athletically. Joe was loved by all. He touched many lives with his acts of kindness and great sense of humor. He had a rare smile with a quality of eternal reassurance in it that you may only come across once in your life. Joe's infectious laugh will be missed by all who knew him. His legacy is an inspiration of unending generosity he offered to the most important people in his life, his wife, children, relatives, friends, and black Labradors Matschke and Luna. Other things may change us, but we start and end with family. Joe was a heroic man with a profound strength of character. He was an inspirational father and husband. Joe dedicated his entire life to his family. His selflessness will never be forgotten. Joe is survived by his loving wife Nancy and their children, Laura and Matthew. He leaves behind his sisters, Beverly Bettina-Sarich and Ann Marie Bettina-Cooper, both of Beacon, and many nieces and nephews. His wife and children would like family and friends to join in celebration of the wonderful life Joe lived. Memorial service will be held on Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at Doyle Funeral Home, 371 Hooker Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 from 4:00pm to 9:00pm. The family asks that memorial donations be made to the Bettina family. .