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- Buffalo News - 12/2/2012
KOHLER - Joseph John II On the 24th of September 2012 Joseph Kohler II, of Canandaigua, NY passed away in his home at the age of 91. Born May 21, 1921 in South Buffalo, NY, Joe was the third of four children born to Viola (Nelson) Kohler and Joseph J. Kohler Sr. A kind, self-disciplined, hard-working, athletic, joyful, mischievous and romantic man, he had a sparkle in his eye and an easy laugh. He adored his wife of 65 years, Billie (Rathwell) Kohler, their children Joe III and Kim (James) Kohler-Lovejoy. A WWII hero, serving in the Army Air Corps, Joe and his tugboat, "Cheerio Joe" were featured in The Stars and Stripes News in May of 1944. He and his tug also took part in the D-Day invasion at Omaha Beach, towing in and helping build the Mulberry landing docks, later saving the lives of his crew. Post-war, Joe and Billie resided and raised their family in Orchard Park, NY where they designed, built, decorated and sold hundreds of luxury homes; "Kohler Homes" were synonymous with meticulous construction, leading edge amenities and personalized touches. Joe was a longtime member of the Masonic Fraternity where he was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason. Retiring to Canandaigua, NY he and Billie enjoyed their summers swimming in the magical waters of the Lake. Winters, along with son Joe III, they had the great fortune to reside in the Bahamas, where they swam, snorkeled and walked the beach by day and danced their nights away under the stars. Always good-natured, his last days were enjoyed at home with his family; son Joe played old standards on the piano while the family "named that tune"; Joe knew all the words and sang along with a smile. (Donations may be made in Joe's name to: Camp Good Days - for the purpose of Cancer Mission 2020, PO Box 665, Mendon, NY 14423 (800) 785-2135 at CampGoodDays.org)
Published in the Buffalo News on December 2, 2012
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1921 - 2012 (91 years)