NORWICH – Joe L. Combes, 70, life-long and well-known Norwich resident, passed away Monday, Aug. 7, 2006 at his home.
The son of Benjamin and Ruth (Cookhouse) Combes, Joe was born in Norwich on June 30, 1936. He attended the Norwich schools, but left at an early age to work at Combes Sanitation, the family business started by his parents. Over the years, the Combes name became well known for refuse removal, and Joe continued to work with his parents and, eventually, his brothers, until the business was sold.
On Sept. 10, 1960, Joe married Bessie Fowlston. He will be remembered as a loving husband, great father, grandfather, and great grandfather whose family was everything to him. A man not afraid of hard work, he did work hard to support his family. He was a guy who liked to tinker, build things, work in his garden, and, as we all know, Joe liked to talk. His favorite time of year was Christmas, and second to that was early August when it was time for the Chenango County Fair. Joe also loved a good game of cards, especially when he would win.
Joe is survived by his wife of 46 years, Bessie Combes; by his children and their spouses: Erma and Gary Smith of Greene, Alice Thompson of North Carolina, Diane Thompson and Mike Quick of South Plymouth, Ben and Pauline Combes of West Virginia, Laurie and Michael Shepard Sr. of Norwich, Peggy Combes of Virginia, Wendy and Derek Jones of Norwich and Joe and Laura Combes Jr. of Unadilla; and by his grandchildren: Barbara, Amy, Michelle, Jason, Krystal, Alfred, Joshua, Kara, Steven, Mathew, Brian, Ben Jr., Daryn, Adrianna, Teresa, Michael, Ashley, Matt, Brian, Mike, Jamie, and Lauren. He is also survived by his great grandchildren: Russell, Sharon, Kendra, Kianna, Kamron, Brianna, Raven, Shaden, Victoria, Emily, and Ryan; by his sisters: Mabel Baker of Norwich, Mary and Mel Lindholm of Tennessee, Eva Fowlston of Norwich, Helen and Clarence Rowe of Sherburne, Rose and Jim Whittaker of Norwich, June and Ernest Conway of Norwich, and Nina Lieb of Norwich; and by his brothers: Charles Combes, John and Betty Combes, Harry and Diane Combes, all of Norwich; Frank and Sharon Combes of Preston, and Earl and Rose Combes of Cincinnatus. Many nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.
Joe was predeceased by his daughter. Penny Combes; his son, Timothy Combes; by his sisters and brother: Grace, Pearl, and George Combes; and by grandchildren Tommy, Gary, and Christopher Smith and Bethanne Combes.
Funeral services for Joe will be held on Saturday, Aug. 12, at 1 p.m. from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. Pastor George Rathwell, pastor of the Triangle Baptist Church, will officiate. Interment will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery. Friends may call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home in Norwich from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday.