Joseph M. Giblin

It is with a heavy but joyful heart that the family of Mr. Joseph M. Giblin of Salamanca announce the loss of their beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend; a kind and caring soul who was loved and admired by all who knew him. Joe passed away Thursday morning, May 27, 2021 at Salamanca Nursing & Rehab.

Born October 26, 1942 in Buffalo, NY, he was the son of the late Joseph F. and Cecilia O’Dessa Hawes Giblin. He married the love of his life, Mary Ellen Kuntz, on October 26, 1963 in Swormville, NY, who survives.

He was a graduate of Clarence High School, Class of 1961.

As a young adult, he enjoyed trapping and hunting before he began his career as a stock boy at the Fisher Big Wheel Department Stores. Working his way up through the ranks, he was a top store manager within the chain and enjoyed a 35 year career there. After retirement, with his wife, he also owned and operated the former Magara’s Wallpaper, Paint & Appliance Store in Salamanca. He was a dispatch operator for the NYS Park Police at Allegany State Park, assistant manager for Ames Department Store, salesperson for Prudential Insurance Company, route driver for A&D Bedell Co., and a bus driver for the Salamanca School District.

Mr. Giblin was a member of Our Lady of Peace Parish, served as a City of Salamanca Alderman in the 1980s, served on the Board of Directors for the Salamanca BPU and the Salamanca Senior Center, was a member of the Mr. & Mrs. Club, President of the Chamber of Commerce, and was a member of the Salamanca Lions Club, where he received the Melvin B. Jones Fellowship Award.

Surviving besides his wife are: three daughters, Kathleen (Barry) Smith, Patricia (David) Magara, both of Salamanca, NY, Tonya (Randal Myers) Studley, Randolph, NY; three granddaughters, Annie (Scott) Coe, Jill (Michael) Carpenter, Karly Studley; four grandsons, Alexander (Raeann) Smith, Sheldon Smith, Jay (Justice Donor) Magara, Kyle Studley; two great-granddaughters, Nebula Wilson Smith, Sophia Baker ; three great-grandsons, Tytan Smith, Jackson Magara, Lionel Carpenter; a brother, Gregory (Patricia) Giblin, Clarence, NY; several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, NY on Sunday, May 30, 2021 from 4 – 7pm.

Funeral services will be held in Our Lady of Peace Parish, 274 Broad Street, Salamanca, NY on Monday at 11am with Deacon Michael Anderson officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Salamanca Senior Center, 18-20 Main Street, Salamanca, NY 14779 or the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60601.

E-condolences can be sent to orourke.orourkefh@gmail.com or posted to facebook.com/onofh.