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Priscilla Lerma posted a condolence
Thursday, March 13, 2025
We, Priscilla Lerma and Jake West, are two of Bob West’s four children. We both live in the Phoenix Metro area. We are sad to hear this news. It was our hope that after spending some time with Joan and Aunt Betty (Dutch) in 2019, that we would get to the East Coast and meet Joe and his boys as adults. Then Covid happened as did other life circumstances. We keep our memories of you when we met in the 70s in our hearts and in our minds. We wish you peace and comfort during this time.
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James Dore posted a condolence
Saturday, March 8, 2025
I remember starting kindergarten at St. Mary's where I first met Joe back in 1952 and how Sister Constance guided us through those early days at school. Later on when I joined the cub scouts I spent many fun days attending scout meetings with Joe, especially when his mom took over as our den mother from Mrs. Cummins. As the years passed I lost contact with a lot of the kids from my early school days until recently when I had the opportunity to attend a program at the local history museum where Joe gave a talk about his new book after which I got to talk with Joe and gave him a copy of our kndergarten class group photograph which shows Joe front and center in the first row.
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Michael scalzo uploaded photo(s)
Friday, March 7, 2025
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My most memorable time with Joe was when he stayed at my house for the weekend in March of 2010 to attend the NCAA Regionals in Buffalo. We hooked up with my NU roommate Pat Pittinaro and also connected with our NU football teammate Kevin Crawford.
Joe and I talked every night into the wee hours about our good times at NU, and life after NU. What Joe shared as most important to him was his family, his boys, and his desire to do good for others. He lightly touched on his service in Nam, but never spoke about the immeasurable gravity of adversity he faced and the enormous mental and physical stress and strain he endured each day, week and month to survive to do the right things for our country and for the citizens of Viet Nam.
I never understood until I read Angel in the Cockpit, the negative fallout of his service and impact on his family! He never mentioned his decorations, his brushes with death; friends he lost. He was so unassuming, and selfless; yet resolute to do good and help others. A true inspiration and real hero who will be sorely missed!
May God Bless you Joe and may God and the angels be with you always!
Mike Scalzo
Class of ‘69
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Larry Modafferi posted a condolence
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
To his family- Sorry for your loss.
Joe had a great life, and I know he enjoyed the ride.
RIP my QB,
Moda "69"
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Ed Hearn posted a condolence
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
Joe Sheridan and I first met in early July of 2009 during the United States National Masters Track and Field Championships held in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He'd just turned 62 and I was 60. We discovered that both of us lived in Wilmington, North Carolina. What brought us together as 'best friends' was a common interest in throwing the javelin. Over a period of fifteen and a half years, Joe and I trained together mostly at the UNCW track facilities, traveled across the country to many competitions, and shared our life's stories with each other. I encouraged Joe to begin writing about his experiences while serving in Vietnam as a Cobra attack helicopter pilot. At first, he hesitated about doing that. After much back and forth, he finally wrote and published his successful book, "Angel in the Cockpit," a remarkable legacy about his life. I found Joe to be trustworthy, intelligent, highly motivated, and a devoted friend. He was very much a family man who adored his two granddaughters and two sons. When I discovered he'd died recently on February 17th, it was a complete shock. I'll truly miss him.
Ed Hearn (Wilmington, North Carolina)
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GEORGE CLANCY uploaded photo(s)
Monday, March 3, 2025
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Joe was a hero for many of us... friends of his younger brother John, long before he became a helicopter pilot in Vietnam. He was a standout, first-class and world-class individual and an outstanding athlete. During his javelin tossing years, when he was the NYS champion, Joe bunked at our house and we got to really know the "older brother," who had left the nest to see the world and do great things. While I was in college, Joe came to visit me one afternoon and that evening he took me to a Philadelphia 76'ers game... Of course we had court-side seats and even more interesting and impressive... all the pro basketball players and coaches... said, "Hey Joe" as they passed us, in the inner circle of the basketball stadium! Joe's book was/is outstanding and it's a great read! After reading the book, I understand why some vets much prefer the day time, as in the jungles of Vietnam, snipers could be anywhere and often were. We will miss him and will remember his bravery, smile and dedication. He was a class act and a role model for so many of us in both Cortland and beyond. His photo as an Army Cobra pilot will be on the wall at the Cortland Airport and a "loaner copy" of his book will also be in the flight instruction suite at the airport. God Bless his kids and RIP Joe!
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James J Meler posted a condolence
Sunday, March 2, 2025
I'll always smile when I think of your Father, he was a natural at nearly everything that is important in life. I'll miss his wisdom and most of all, his competitive spirit. A true leader and patriot, may he rest in peace.
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Joe Brisindi posted a condolence
Sunday, March 2, 2025
My wife and I met Joe and Susanne at a gathering of NY Jets fans at the Husk. We became friends and often spoke of the Jets and how beautiful living in Wilmington, NC. Joe was a true gentleman and we will miss him. Rest In peace Joe.
Joe and Charleen Brisindi
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Kevin Mulvey posted a condolence
Saturday, March 1, 2025
We met at NU freshman year. For extra money you cut hair using my dad's hair clippers and I typed papers for $.25 a page.
Both of us went to Vietnam. And In 2014 you stayed with Mary Ellen and me at our cottage on Lake Ontario. You practiced your ROTC hall of fame speech until memorized.
You sent us copies of chapters of your book as you completed them. Mary Ellen edited several and I provided input from a grunt in the Delta. It was all a special reunion after a 50 year hiatus. It was like we never lost touch. God Bless you Captain, thank you for your service and welcome home.
Grunt Mulv (Kevin and Mary Ellen Mulvey)
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Amy Tutino Piatak lit a candle
Friday, February 28, 2025
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Tom Stapleton posted a condolence
Friday, February 28, 2025
William Butler Yeats, the Irish poet, wrote a brief eulogy that I'll quote here, honoring Joe's Irish heritage:
"Ask where man's glory begins and ends, and say, 'I had such friends.'"
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Joseph and Abby Caruso posted a condolence
Friday, February 28, 2025
I was amazed to see that we both served in I Corps near Quang Tri,, and were both Helo Pilots, and in later years, both moved to the Carolinas! I wish I got to know you better while at Niagara, and am in awe in reading your life accomplishments both for Country and Family. Truly a life well lived. Rest in peace, Soldier.
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Alex Seales uploaded photo(s)
Friday, February 28, 2025
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R.I.P. Joe Sheridan - a fellow helicopter pilot, a fine man, and a good friend.
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The family of Joseph Sheridan uploaded a photo
Friday, February 28, 2025
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Please wait
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Mike Rinellla posted a condolence
Friday, February 28, 2025
Gone From My Sight
By Henry Van Dyke
I am standing upon the seashore.
A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.
Then some at my side says: “There, she is gone!”
“Gone where?”
Gone from my sight.
That is all.
She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to destined port.
Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at that moment when someone at my side says: “There, she is gone!” there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout: “Here she comes!”
And that is dying...