Mr. Joseph M. Rider, 87, of Spring St., entered into eternal rest on Monday, January 18, 2010, at Bassett Healthcare in Cooperstown.
He was born on November 18, 1922, in St. Johnsville, son of the late Wallace and Maude (Ruller) Rider. On September 26, 1948, he was united in marriage with Ethel Swartz at St. Patrick’s Church in St. Johnsville.
Joe proudly served his country during WW II in the Army Air Force. He was an insurance agent for Met Life in Herkimer for many years. He was a 50+ year member of the St. Johnsville Fire Department. He was also a founding member of SAVAC and was a member for many years.
He loved his faithful companion Sweeny. He loved to play cards and listen to music, especially Big Bands. He was a diehard New York Mets and New York Giants fan. In his day, he was a great baseball player and earned the nickname "Joltin’" Joe Rider. He helped everybody he encountered. He will be greatly missed by the community.
Survivors include his beloved wife of 61 years, Ethel; his loving daughters, Lynn Mocko and her husband, Mark, of St. Johnsville, and Julie Erno and her husband, Frank, of St. Johnsville; his loving sons, Jan Rider and his wife, Elaine, of Virginia Beach, VA, and Todd Rider and his wife, Susan, of St. Johnsville; his dear brother, Carlton and his wife, Catherine, of St. Johnsville; his dear sister, Jeannette Bundyk, of St. Johnsville; his cherished grandchildren, Nicole Rider and Joseph Rider; his cousin, Richard Ruller and his wife, Marian; and many nieces and nephews, including his special nephews, Johnny and Mickey Swartz.
The family will receive relatives and friends Saturday, January 23, 2010, from 3-6 p.m. at the Enea Family Funeral Home, 9 Center St., St. Johnsville. There will be a St. Johnsville American Legion service at 4 p.m. and a St. Johnsville Fire Department service at 5:30 p.m. during calling hours.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations in Joe’s name be made to either SAVAC or to the St. Johnsville Fire Dept. Envelopes may be obtained at the funeral home. To send an online message of sympathy, please go to www.eneafamily.com.