Obituary of Joseph Rountree
Joseph Rountree, Sr., 76, passed away on Thursday, September 6, 2018 due to heart failure.
Joseph “Joe” Rountree was born January 7, 1942 in Waterbury he was the youngest son of the late William and Golden “Lucille” Rountree. Affectionately known as “Tree” or “Uncle Tootsie”, he was raised and educated in Waterbury, CT where he met and married the love of his life, Edith “BabyJo” Lawson Rountree. Joseph is a proud father and grandfather devoting his life to his children, Monica (Stephen) Johnson of Indian Trail, North Carolina, Joseph (Kevonne Heyward) Rountree and Jordyn Rountree all of Waterbury. Joseph loved and cherished his grandchildren, Hayley and Harrison of Indian Trail, NC and was excited to being a grandfather again in November.
Joe was a hard worker starting as a paperboy at the age of eleven. He went on to hold positions at JayMar Syrup Co., Uniroyal Chemical, Bristol Brass and CL&P. He retired from Pratt & Whitney Aircraft where he was employed for 28 years. Joe was a life-long member of Zion Baptist Church and a long-standing member of the Goodwill Lodge of Elks No. 1325 where he served as House Chairman, Trustee, Secretary, and Financial Secretary.
In addition to his children, he leaves to cherish his memory his sisters, Lucy Ann Hunter (GA), Helen Austin (CT) and Sandra Rountree (CT); brothers-in-law, John (Evelyn) Lawson and Lawrence (Gertrude) Lawson (NJ); sisters-in-law, Geraldine Rountree (SC), Dorothy (Larry) Damon (MD) and Joyce Thimmers (CT); three aunts, Emily Rountree (NC), Earnestine Rountree (VA), and Evelyn Dildy (CT); one uncle, Melvin Ray Rountree (NC) as well as a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends. “Tree” was predeceased by his wife, Edith and two brothers, Pete and Hershel Rountree and three brothers-in-law, Elton Hunter, Richard Austin and James Lawson and two sisters-in-law, Grace J. Rountree and Loretta Lawson Greene.
A celebration of life is scheduled on Friday, September 14 beginning at 9:00am at Zion Baptist Church 137 Pearl Street, Waterbury. The Goodwill Lodge of Elks No. 1325 will be conducting their Memorial Service at 9:30am. Funeral Services are at 11:00 A.M . Burial will be at New Pine Grove Cemetery, Waterbury. The service is entrusted to Prospect Memorial Funeral Home, James R. Sanders Funeral Director.
