Obituary of Joseph Jastry

Jastry, Joseph, age 99 of Boston, New York, December 11, 2020. Beloved husband of 77 years of Catherine (nee Ferguson). Dear father of Noreen (late Peter) Murray, Kathleen (Karl) Simmeth and Gerald (Cindy) Jastry. Loving grandfather of Karen (Phil) Dettore and great-grandfather of Sophia Dettore. Brother of the late Jeanette Rubach, Lillian Grucza and John Jastrzembski. Also survived by several nieces and nephews. Services will be private. A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date. Memorials may be made to AmVet Post 219 in Joe's memory. Joseph served in the US Marine Corp. in WW II serving on the USS Washington. He joined the AmVet organization in 1947 and served with organization for 73 years. He founded AmVets Post 219 in Boston, New York and in 2017, the post was renamed in his honor and became Jastry AmVet Post 219. He was the past commander of Post 219 and New York State Commander for 1972-1973, President of the Service Foundation and Judge Advocate for Post 219 for many years. In 1997 he was awarded the Silver Helmet Award for AmVet of the Year. He served as a member of the AmVet National Executive Committee serving in various positions. Joseph worked with Congressman Jack Quinn to make improvements in the VA hospital for veterans, the World War II Commemoration School Program and other programs to help veterans. Joe orchestrated the Memorial Highway from East to West coasts and was recognized by Mario Cuomo for his effort in January 1987. In 2017 he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award for 70 years of service. That same year, Congressman Chris Collins awarded Joe as a World War II veteran and for his many years of helping veterans. Joseph lived for his family, love of his country and the AmVet Organization. Arrangements by the DONALD M. DEMMERLEY FUNERAL HOME, 21 Pierce Avenue, Hamburg, New York 14075. Share condolences at www.demmerleyfuneralhome.com. To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Joseph Jastry, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.