Joseph Edmund Spanfelner

Mr. Joseph Edmund Spanfelner, age 86, of New Hartford, passed away on Tuesday, May 31, 2022 surrounded by the love of his family.

Joseph was born in Herkimer, NY, on October 14, 1935, to the late George and Helen (Mahoney) Spanfelner. He attended St. Mary’s Academy, graduating from that High School in 1953. Joseph attended SUNY Oneonta, where he received his B.S. and M.S. in education, graduating in 1957. He furthered his studies at Syracuse University. Joseph proudly served in the Army Reserves after graduating college.

For over thirty years, Joseph was a beloved and respected teacher and coach at Thomas R. Proctor High School. In 1966, he coached the boys’ basketball team to a Section 3, Class A sectional championship. Joseph served as the Director of Upward Bound at Utica College, as well as the Department Chair of Social Studies at Proctor, until his retirement in 1991. In 2001, Joseph was inducted into the Oneonta Sports Hall of Fame for his outstanding achievements in soccer, basketball and baseball.

He is survived by his longtime partner, Cornelia Vitagliano; two sons Christopher and Joseph Spanfelner and his daughter, Julie Spanfelner of Utica; three grandchildren Cameron, Elizabeth and Julia Spanfelner; he also leaves the Vitagliano family, Antonio and Karyn, and their children Giovanni, Alessandro and Isabella, who adored their Pop tremendously, and several nieces and nephews.

As per Joseph’s wishes, there will be no public services.

In memory of Joseph, please consider a donation to The Siegenthaler Center, Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc. in New Hartford.