Joseph J Loehr

Joseph J. Loehr, 60, of Rotterdam passed away on Monday May 2, 2016 at his son's home surrounded by his loving family. Born in Schenectady, he was the son of Robert and Elizabeth (Seifer) Loehr. Joseph was a graduate of Bishop Gibbons High School in Schenectady. He was employed as a security guard for LaFarge Security Company. Joseph was predeceased by his loving wife Paulette (Kimball) Loehr. He is survived by his loving son Bobby Loehr and his wife Lisa who was like a daughter to Pops of Rotterdam, his loving daughter Leighann Loehr of Schenectady, his loving step daughter Jodi Waterson of Schenectady, his loving sister Jo-Ann Canell (Timothy) of Schenectady, his loving cousin Debbie and Herb LeTarte of Rotterdam, also survived by his loving grandchildren Samantha Loehr, Sharon DeMartino, Shawn Dominy and Amillia Waterson. Funeral Services will be Friday 1PM at the Bond Funeral Home Broadway and Guilderland Avenue Schenectady. Calling Hours will be Friday 11-1PM prior to the service at the funeral home. Internment will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Schenectady. You may send flowers because he enjoyed them or you may send contributions in Joseph's memory to Community Hospice 445 New Karner Road Albany, NY 12205. Joseph John Loehr, son, father and friend. Born July 1, 1955 my dad was a one of a kind from birth. He was actually born with a tooth, that was the first thing that made Joe Loehr special. Early on it was plain to see that he was a superstar, his football days from first stepping on Bishop Gibbons turf was a one that must have had the coaches grinning from ear to ear. He carried the #31 and was a fullback and inside linebacker. He was coached under John Verra. My Father was in countless newspaper articles doing almost all of B.G. 's scoring. Growing up I wanted to be like him as long as I can remember, from clamping around in his cowboy boots, until I got my own pair. Through school I played football but never would I be as good as my dad was. He had scouts from all over, basically he could have gone to school free on either of our coasts. When he graduated High School he decided not to go because my Grandparents had Loehrs bar and my Grandfather had his good days, but after serving our country, Front Line Sergeant Robert C. Loehr1st was diagnosed with PTSD. Not being able to come home from the war to my great grandfather's, his Dads funeral really contributed to my Grandpas condition. and so my Dad gave up his dream (football) to stay home with his Mother as to help with the bar business and help with my Grandfather. My Dad would dig graves at St. Joseph's Cemetery on school nights at times with my Grandmother in the car with the headlights on because Grandpa was sick. But he and my Dad had quality days just the same. He bought my dad go carts to drive through the cemetery and my Grandpa Bob would prove to be an awesome Grandfather. My Grandmother Betty, one of my lasting memories is that she would make me poached eggs on italian toast everyday before school. My Grandma used to bring me to football practice in a variety of cars, a Packard, one time a Studebaker and usually her own Cadillac. Then other times my Dad would drop me off on his bike, "yes I rode bitch". But I never amounted to half the man he was on the field. I guess it does not matter "how cool you look getting out of a car from the 30's or a chopper from the 70's. My Dad was the BEST. He married my Mom, his soulmate July 25, 1976 and tragically lost her in a house fire in 1981. He would never fully recover from that. But I celebrate his passing in them being reunited forever. I would be happy if I can turn out into half the man Joe Loehr was. He loved his kids more than anything we always came first. He has taken me and Leighann to Florida several times growing up, Sea World, Disney the whole 9 yards. I remember one story in particular about my dad one of the many I so deeply loved him. When my Mom, Paulette Loehr was watching me I kicked the ball into the neighbors yard and when I tried climbing the fence the guy next door started yelling at me, being I was only 4 I retreated into my loving mothers arms. She called my Dad who was around the corner at Loehr's Bar. My dad came home so fast, the car was probably still going 15 miles an hour when he threw it in park never closed the door like something on TV. He came into the house and had a quick chat with Mom and was kicking the guy's door to no avail. He reentered my house and went back next door where he discharged several rounds from his 30.30 rifle, soon after the cops came squad cars doors open, aiming their service revolvers at him they said throw the gun and on your knees. He said can I set it down its my favorite one. So he set it down in the grass and then they tackled him from what I hear was not easy ask John Verra his high school football coach. They also knocked his cowboy hat off in the squeamish, where he politely asked them to put his hat back on and they did. My dad would later tell me how he could hear the guy scrambling in the house like a squirrel in the walls. Needless to say I was granted permission to get any of my toys that went over the fence. My Father is and will always be my Superman! He had overcome so much tragity and preservered through it all. He would later the same year lose his soulmate and my mother Paulette to a fire on Tower Avenue, where he went from working at G.E. for nearly 10 years to eventually taking over Loehrs Bar. There are so many memories there I could write a series of novels. When me or my sister would get into trouble he was always there, he never once said to me "this is it and then your on your own". I cherish all the hunting and fishing stories we had together. I cherish him letting me take his bike, even took my wife Lisa out on his Superglide. As a friend I watched him help so many people through the years, and even when he really didn't have time or had his own problems he always showed up, never let his friends sit in jail, he bailed so many people out, lent out money he knew would not be repaid and let people drink for free when they were broke. If he liked you then you were in. My dad had countless bike runs, fundraisers and events to raise money for those in need. He had a heart of gold, my Dad was the best Father and my best friend. He loved the water and the ocean and spending time with Herb and Deb, they took him out by Sacandaga in 2008. Herb and my dad walked over this bridge, this was the day he got released from prison and never looked back. From that day on he stayed clean and passed sober. So my Father had 8 years clean and turned to Jesus for strengths and God didn't let him down, he gave him a gift, the GIFT OF EVERLASTING LIFE IN HEAVEN. I love you Dad your tatoo on the back of your arms said it all "YOU CAN'T KILL THE SPIRIT!" Dad, I love you to the Moon! Love Your #1 Bobby