SOUTH GLENS FALLS

Joseph Prefontaine, age 65, passed away on July 28, 2014 at the Pines at Glens Falls Nursing Home following a short illness.

Born in Granville on December 16, 1948, he was the son of the late Robert Joseph and Ruth (Rovelli) Prefontaine. He graduated from Whitehall High School.

He joined the U.S. Navy after graduation from high school and served aboard a U.S. Navy battleship, USS Buck, off the coast of Vietnam during the war.

Joe was employed as a correction officer with the NYS Department of Corrections and served in the Ossining and Mount McGregor facilities. He received an award from then-Governor Mario Cuomo for his productivity work with computers when they were first being introduced into the state prison system.

He was an active member of the Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corp for over 30 years and held many elected positions, serving as captain from 1978 to 1979. Joe was one of the early groups of EMT’s in NYS and became a Critical Care Technician (Medic) AEMTIII in 1982 as part of OVAC’s first advanced life support class. He was an EMS instructor for many years through OVAC and Phelps Memorial Hospital and served as Disaster Director, Radio Coordinator and advisor for Explorer Post 1418. Joe was OVAC Unit 11 and was always available for call 24/7 and saved countless lives in his years at OVAC. He was a friend, teacher, and mentor to countless EMT’s in Westchester.

When not working, Joe enjoyed using his computer, and had become very proficient in the use of computer programs and hardware systems.

In addition to his parents, Joe was predeceased by his brother-in-law, Frank ValAlstyne.

Joe is survived by his sister, Mary Anne ValAlstyne; his niece, Theresa Davis, and her husband Arnold, and their children, Sydney and Victoria; and his niece, Carolyn Curley, and her companion.

Friends may call on the family on Friday, August 1, 2014 between 4 and 6 p.m. at the M.B. Kilmer Funeral Home, 136 Main Street, South Glens Falls, NY 12803. Online condolences may be posted at kilmerfuneralhome.com.

A memorial service will be conducted on Friday, August 1, 2014, immediately following calling hours at 6 p.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Sharon Sauer, pastor of the Whitehall United Methodist Church, officiating.

Burial will be private at the convenience of the family.

Donations in Joe’s memory may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 2 Pine West Plaza, Suite 204, Albany, NY 12205, or to a charity of one’s choice.

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