Joseph C. Solomon

Joseph C. Solomon passed away at home on February 9, 2015 with his family at his side. He was born on May 28, 1917 in Ithaca, NY and, except for his time in the army, was a lifelong Ithaca resident.

Joe married his wife, Jane, on September 5, 1942 and was then drafted into the US Army. He served as an aircraft mechanic in India supporting planes flying in the China-Burma-India theater. Upon being honorably discharged from the Army he and Jane settled in Ithaca where Joe began a career as an auto mechanic. He worked for a local service station then was with Cayuga Ford for many years before opening his own Sinclair service station on North Cayuga Street in Ithaca. In 1962 he went to work for the Department of Chemical Engineering at Cornell University until his retirement in 1980.

After being retired he decided he needed to keep himself busy and became a school crossing guard for Fall Creek Elementary School on North Tioga Street where he worked until 2013. He was there for so long that in more recent years he was crossing the children of children he had crossed when they were going to school.

At the same time he was a familiar figure at Newman Golf Course gassing up golf carts, acting as course ranger and serving as a starter for golfers. Many parents dropped their kids off at the golf course during the summers knowing that he would keep a watchful eye on them.

Joe enjoyed having friends and family gather at his home and up to the end was blessed with a wonderful memory and could recall many facts about growing up in Ithaca.

Joe was a life member of the Ithaca Elks Lodge 636 and also a volunteer with the Cataract Hose Company #7.

He is predeceased by his wife of 71 years, Jane, brother, Charles and sisters Mary, Julia Spott and Minnie Williams. He is survived by his son, David (Pam) Solomon of Ithaca; daughter, Lorraine (Dean) Shirley of Pawling, NY; granddaughter, Kristin (Jamie) Fish of Youngsville, NC; grandson, Brian Solomon of Cornelius, NC and niece, Betty George of Ithaca.

Joe, and his ever present cigar, will be missed by all who knew him.

Friends may call on Thursday, February 12, 2015 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Bangs Funeral Home where members of Ithaca Elks Lodge #636 will perform ritual services at 3 45 p.m. Burial with military honors to be held at the Calvary Cemetery will be delayed until spring. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Hospicare of Tompkins County or the Tompkins County SPCA.