COOPERSTOWN - Joseph Carmine Carentz of Cooperstown, passed away peacefully on the morning of Jan. 24, 2024, at the age of 79, with his family by his side.

Known affectionately by those who knew him as "Uncle Joe" or "Crazy Joe," Joseph was born Aug. 8, 1944, in Jamaica, Queens, to parents Peter and Eleanor (Burr) Carentz.

In his youth, Joe enjoyed spending time with his siblings at Coney Island and playing ball in the parks around his home before moving with his family to Worcester, where he worked tirelessly to help take care of his family. His hard work and dedication never faltered or ceased.

After the family settled in Cooperstown, Joe's lifelong passion for cooking began in the kitchen at the Otesaga Hotel, where he held several different titles and learned to become a culinary wizard. He then found himself at the State University of Oneonta where he worked in culinary for more than 20 years before transitioning to maintenance work for the next 22. He loved to make others happy, especially through his cooking, and often showed this through a delicious meal or one of his famous chocolate pies.

In addition to the 42 years he spent at the State University of Oneonta, Joe was a founding member of the Cooperstown Emergency Squad where he proudly served for more than 50 years with the emergency squad, fire department and fire police.

Joe had a big, generous heart and always stepped up and lent a hand to anyone in need. No one was a stranger to Joe, he made friends wherever he went. In the summer you would find him painting houses around the village and surrounding areas, and he never missed a chance to march in a parade with the fire department.

Joe is survived by his children, daughter, Kimberly (Michael) Maxson and son, Aaron Carentz; grandchildren Allison, Jacob, Benjamin, Isaac, Alaina and Valerie; great-grandchildren, Javce and Leon; siblings, Ronaele (Fred) Haupt, Peter (Carolyn) Carentz, Janet Schliermann, William (Char) Carentz, Laura Carentz, Jeffrey (Kathy) Carentz and Rachele Carentz; and several nieces, nephews and cousins, who he cared for deeply.

He was predeceased by his father, Peter; mother, Eleanor; and sisters, Barbara and Valerie.

The family extends a special thank you to Dr. Anush Patel and the entire staff of the Basset Hospital Oncology Department and Dr. Patrick Reagan and his team at the Wilmont Cancer Institute in Rochester, for their kindness, support and devotion to Joe's care.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joseph's name to the Cooperstown Emergency Squad, P.O. Box 322 Cooperstown NY 13326.

A celebration of Joe's life will be scheduled to take place this summer around what would have been Joe's 80th birthday.

Arrangements are under the care of Tillapaugh Funeral Service, Cooperstown.