On Thursday, September 2, 2021, Joseph Wilcox Spalding II, loving husband and father of three children, passed away at the age of 87. Joe was born in Waterbury, Connecticut on May 16, 1934. He spent his childhood in Watertown, Connecticut, visiting Skaneateles in the summers. He graduated from the Taft School, Watertown, CT in 1952 and Columbia College in 1956 with a BA in Geology. After college he worked as a geologist from 1957-58 in Northern Brazil returning briefly in September 1957 to marry Susan Lapham whence, they both returned to Brazil. They then moved to Skaneateles and raised three boys in a place so special to him.
Joe worked as a sales engineer in heating and ventilation in Syracuse and selling prefabricated commercial buildings in Oswego for several years before founding Upstate Temperature Control in 1975. In the 1970’s Joe was a leading figure at the Skaneateles Ski Club installing the first snowmaking system and as a fixture on the Ski Patrol. He was a past Commodore of the Skaneateles Country Club, most notably running several Lightning class anniversary regattas and instilling his deep love of sailing in his boys. He was a member of St. James Vestry, drove the SAVES Rescue and served on the Skaneateles School Board for many years.
Joe so loved living on Skaneateles Lake which inspired him to write his column “On the Lakeshore” for the Skaneateles Press. The ducks and other wildlife he saw, the adventures of his beagles, children, and grandchildren, children, and grandchildren were frequent topics. He enjoyed wooden boats, restoring several and building new ones. His favorites were the Thunderbird class sloop Dragon fire and the Samuel Clyde, his custom canal cruiser. He actively curated the boat collection at the Skaneateles Historical Society. Joe and Sue traveled extensively in their later years, taking trips to the UK, Ireland, France, Alaska, Brazil, other interesting cruises, their own excursions on the Samuel Clyde and lengthy road trips around the country visiting friends and family.
Joe is survived by his wife Susan (Lapham), sons Curtis (m. Patrice Milos), Joseph (m. Irene Gonin) and William (m. Molly Newlin) and Grandchildren Henry, Hannah, Alexander, Nicholas, Victoria, Lisa and Evan.
Calling hours will be held Thursday, September 9th from5-7pm at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles. Funeral Service will be held at St James Church, Skaneateles on Friday, September 10th at 10am, burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery.
In Lieu of flowers please make a donation to St. James Church or the Skaneateles Historical Society.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.
Joe worked as a sales engineer in heating and ventilation in Syracuse and selling prefabricated commercial buildings in Oswego for several years before founding Upstate Temperature Control in 1975. In the 1970’s Joe was a leading figure at the Skaneateles Ski Club installing the first snowmaking system and as a fixture on the Ski Patrol. He was a past Commodore of the Skaneateles Country Club, most notably running several Lightning class anniversary regattas and instilling his deep love of sailing in his boys. He was a member of St. James Vestry, drove the SAVES Rescue and served on the Skaneateles School Board for many years.
Joe so loved living on Skaneateles Lake which inspired him to write his column “On the Lakeshore” for the Skaneateles Press. The ducks and other wildlife he saw, the adventures of his beagles, children, and grandchildren, children, and grandchildren were frequent topics. He enjoyed wooden boats, restoring several and building new ones. His favorites were the Thunderbird class sloop Dragon fire and the Samuel Clyde, his custom canal cruiser. He actively curated the boat collection at the Skaneateles Historical Society. Joe and Sue traveled extensively in their later years, taking trips to the UK, Ireland, France, Alaska, Brazil, other interesting cruises, their own excursions on the Samuel Clyde and lengthy road trips around the country visiting friends and family.
Joe is survived by his wife Susan (Lapham), sons Curtis (m. Patrice Milos), Joseph (m. Irene Gonin) and William (m. Molly Newlin) and Grandchildren Henry, Hannah, Alexander, Nicholas, Victoria, Lisa and Evan.
Calling hours will be held Thursday, September 9th from5-7pm at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles. Funeral Service will be held at St James Church, Skaneateles on Friday, September 10th at 10am, burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery.
In Lieu of flowers please make a donation to St. James Church or the Skaneateles Historical Society.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.
