Obituary of Joseph Semon

Diamond Point: Captain Joseph Semon, Jr., 91, of E. Schroon River Rd. passed away Wednesday, September 25, 2013 at home in the company of his loving family. Born Josef Weiss on May 18, 1922 in Altona-Hamburg, Germany he was the son of the late Joseph Semon, Sr. (b. Albert Gehrke) and Antonie Weiss (m. Dames). Through circumstances beyond his control, he found himself in an orphanage in 1930, enduring great hardships and privations until his school master sent him to the Unites States in 1937 to find a better life and connect with his father, leaving behind his mother, siblings, and friends. Upon his arrival into New York Harbor, he fell in love with America immediately. Joe provided for himself, attended school in Brooklyn, and on December 6, 1941, with the guidance of his father, started a merchant marine career sailing as Joseph Semon, Jr. He enlisted in the US Navy after the loss of his father to the torpedo sinking of the SS Millinocket in June of 1942. Capt. Semon served honorably as a Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class on board a minesweeper in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Pacific theaters during WWII; by war’s end, was a citizen of the United States of America. Captain Semon was discharged from the Navy in 1946, though continued to sail for the United States Military Sealift Command, a division of the US Navy, crewed by civilian merchant sailors. During his lengthy career, he rose through deck officer ranks, achieving the rank of Master Mariner “any ship-any tonnage-any ocean”. He participated in a variety of naval operations, supporting Korean and Vietnam War operations and numerous special missions from scientific to fleet support. Capt. Semon was highly regarded by his peers and retired in 1977 at the top of his game, having received countless commendations. He always saw his father as a hero and lived to see the christening of a new USNS Millinocket in 2013 by MSC, 71 years after the sinking of his father’s vessel. Capt. Semon married Dorothy H. Vetter of Brooklyn on December 15, 1951 and together they raised eight children. He was a member of the VFW, American Legion, Knights of Columbus., and a communicant of St. Cecilia’s Roman Catholic Church in Warrensburg, worshipping regularly there with his wife by his side. He was also very active with the Adirondack German-American Society, never forgetting his cultural heritage and truly enjoyed the Oktoberfest season and German music, which could often be heard playing from his home. Joe enjoyed working with his hands; he could make anything out of metal or wood, from bearing presses to furniture. He spent much time outdoors, as it was common to see him on the tractor, Gator, or operating a chain saw. He was sensitive to the plight of orphans and often recalled a Christmas party his crew gave to children from a Belfast orphanage over the vocal objections of their harbor master. He made several return trips to Germany to reconnect with family and friends, who he said goodbye to so many years earlier. His is truly an immigrant story. Besides his parents, Joe was predeceased by an infant son, Paul, a grandson, Joseph Kern, and his brothers, Gunther, Franz, and John. He is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Dorothy Semon of Diamond Point; eight children, Mark Semon, Linda Kern and her husband, Scott, Janine Gennette and her husband, Victor, Joseph Semon, Eric Semon, Kurt Semon and his wife Margaret (Mahar), Thomas Semon, and Martin Semon and his wife, Stephanie Hamilton. Several of his children followed his career example, sailing for the Us Navy, Coast Guard, and/or MSC. He also leaves behind a sister, Sonia Tadic of Berlin, Germany, and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and new friend, Mark DiPasquale, Sr., who comforted Joe in his final days. Friends may call on Joe’s family from 3 to 5 pm Sunday, September 29, 2013 at Alexander-Baker Funeral Home, 3809 Main St., Warrensburg. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am, Monday at St. Cecilia’s Roman Catholic Church, 3802 Main St., Warrensburg. Rite of Committal with military honors will follow in St. Cecilia’s Cemetery, Warrensburg. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations in Captain Joseph Semon’s name to the Haskell Brothers VFW Post 4821, 3754 Main St., Warrensburg, NY 12885 or to the American Legion Post 446, 32 Ridge Ave., Warrensburg, NY 12885 Please visit www.alexanderfh.net for online guestbook, condolences and directions.