GLENS FALLS --- Joseph Peter Vogel, 62, of Garfield Street, Glens Falls, New York left this earthly world suddenly on June 6, 2012, to enter a far better place amongst the angels and saints.

Joe was born on July 25, 1949 in Glens Falls, the beloved son and first-born child of Joseph Daniel and Betty (Pharmer) Vogel. Joe's early years were spent in Glens Falls' 5th ward where he attended St. Alphonsus School later graduating from St. Mary's Academy, Class of 1967. Joe often recalled fond and delightfully funny memories of life in the neighborhood. Following high school graduation, Joe joined the U.S. Navy and honorably served from
1969 to 1971, service times that include a tour in Vietnam aboard the USS Henry B. Wilson. Upon return Joe attended SUNY Adirondack, graduating with an Associates Degree in Business and Accounting.

On June 8, 1968, Joe married his high school sweetheart, Pamela Marie Johnson, and together this couple has shared a lifetime of memories, marked by caring, sharing, compromise and commitment to each other. Without hesitation, Joe's world revolved around his family, the center of which were his two beautiful and wonderful children…Jennifer Leslie Vogel Gotantas and Jason Scott. He was immensely proud of who they are…both at work and at play. Proudly, the fabric of Joe runs deeply through Jennifer and Jason.

Joe had a tremendous work ethic, one that can be traced back to his very earliest employment at the old Rudolph's Jewelers, the A & P, and the first McDonald's in Queensbury. He later followed in the footsteps of both parents and father-in-law, joining the US Postal Service, beginning as a midnight sectional center clerk to his concluding years in Post Office management. In 1989, recognizing the need for mailing services in the private sector, Joe, after 23 years, left the Postal Service and founded, together with Pam, Mailings Made Easy, located at first in their home, then at 19 Park Street, and finally purchasing the building in 1994 at 80-82 Warren Street. A remarkable businessman and employer, Joe was respected and loved throughout the industry. He was and remains the heart and soul of Mailings Made Easy.

Joe's forever passion was his love of sports and most especially that of ice hockey and baseball. He, along with others, spearheaded hockey in our area, forming the Adirondack Youth Hockey Association, and being part of the group that built the area's first indoor rink, Glens Falls Rec Center on Fire Road. Though an excellent skater, Joe's true abilities were in teaching and communicating the game of hockey to our youth throughout the Glens Falls-Queensbury area. A master at coaching, Joe taught hockey skills to players from termites to standout high school athletes – girls and boys alike; had a total comprehension of the game, and was equally comfortable talking plays with hockey professionals at college, AHL and NHL levels. What a gift!

As well, Joe delighted in following his long-time love of baseball, America's favorite past-time. How about those Red Sox! Outings included games in Colorado, Boston, and New York, joined by family and friends…Jason, Jennifer, Marty, Dave McGuire and Jimmy Linehan! One night, Theo Epstein joined in! Joe was so looking forward to one more trip to Fenway, set for later this month, to see his name engraved on a brick presented to him by his daughter in honor of the park's 100th Anniversary. That trip will still be made.

Among the simple pleasures in life, Joe enjoyed carefully tending to flowers in the windows of Mailings Made Easy, long walks with Pam, participation in area 5K races, strolls on sandy ocean beaches, boating on Lake Lonely with R & R at the Lake House, dinner at nephew Shawn's Bistro Tallulah, his "night to cook" at 132 Bistro, and pizza on Friday's at Talk of the Town.

Joe was predeceased by his parents, Betty and Joe Vogel, Aunt and Uncle Betty and Billy Linehan, and in-laws, Emma and George Fitzgerald Johnson. He is sadly survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Pam, and children, daughter Jennifer Leslie Vogel Gotantas, her husband Marty, and yellow lab Benson, all of Dillon, Colorado; and his son Jason Scott Vogel and his fiancée Lisa Banbury of New York City. Joe also leaves behind his brothers Thomas (Kathy) Vogel, Timothy (Violet) Vogel, and his sister, Susan (Bill) Bryan; and sisters-in-law Judith (Jimmy) Strohmeyer, Janet Whalen, Lisa (Rob) Plocharczyk, and Pat LaMay; first cousins Jimmy (SueAnne) Linehan and Kathy Linehan; so many wonderful nieces, nephews; friends and neighbors; and his most special lifetime friendships with David T. McGuire and Lou Dufresne.

Services for Joe include calling hours on Sunday, June 10, from 4 – 7 p.m. at the Maynard D. Baker Funeral Home, 11 Lafayette St., Queensbury, NY. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday, June 11, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Church, Warren Street, Glens Falls, with the Rev. Thomas Babiuch officiating.

In lieu of flowers, friends and family may wish to contribute to a scholarship being named in his honor at the Glens Falls High School, 15 Quade Street, Glens Falls, New York.

Condolences may be mailed to Maynard D. Baker Funeral Home, 11 Lafayette St., Queensbury, NY 12804, or e-mailed through www.bakerfuneralhome.com.

For the tremendous outpouring of love and support from family, friends and community at this most difficult time, we remain forever grateful.