Joseph J. Josephson

Dr. Joseph J. Josephson

Psychologist, Loving Father, and Devoted Husband -

Dr. Joseph J. Josephson, 94, of Mechanicsburg, PA died peacefully on Wednesday, September 16, 2015. Born on Monday, April 4, 1921, in Vineland, NJ and raised in Albany, NY , he was a WWII veteran who served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps . Joseph attended Clarkson College where he played first string baseball and basketball before transferring to Siena College , where he received his B.S. in economics. Joseph received his Masters in Business Administration and psychology from St. Lawrence University before attending Syracuse University and East Coast University and receiving his Ph.D. in psychology.

In his early career, Joseph was a high school business teacher and a coach, roles that remained his lifelong avocations. He left teaching to pursue his true passion, psychology, as school psychologist in Saranac Lake, NY. Joseph later served as clinical psychologist at Sunmount Developmental Center where he enjoyed working with the developmentally delayed. He was an early and passionate advocate for mainstreaming that population and was active in establishing the Association for Retarded Citizens . In the early 70s, he was instrumental in establishing the Essex County, NY chapter of Planned Parenthood and served as an EEOC investigator in the early 80s. Joseph was a psychologist for the Veteran's Administration at Castle Point, NY before moving to Pennsylvania 29 years ago to become Chief Psychologist for the Department of Corrections at Camp Hill. Joseph retired--prematurely in his view--at age 80, and re-entered the work force as a school psychologist in Harrisburg, PA. He worked there and with the elderly until his full retirement at age 87.

Joseph was a devoted and loving husband to his wife, Frimet (Andelman) Josephson, who predeceased him on May 26, 2015. Before his marriage to Frimet, he was married to his beloved wife Lucille Shaunessey until her passing in 1976. Joseph is survived by his daughter, Bertha Deborah, and her wife, Margaret Kierstein, of Easthampton, MA; Lucille's children: Marianne Short and her husband, Frederick, of Ballston Lake, NY, Marilyn Graves of Clifton Park, NY, Michael Josephson of St. Petersburg, FL; and Frimet's children: Charles Levinson and his partner, Peggy Thompson, of Newburgh, Robyn Cartuyvelles and her husband, Richard, of Ft. Myers, FL, Scott Levinson and his wife, Marla, Lawrence Levinson and his wife, Kelly, of Guilford, CT; his sister- and brother-in-law, Lois and George Handler; as well as 17 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

All are welcome to join Joseph’s family at his memorial gathering on Saturday, September 19, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Bethany Village West Residence Commons Room , 325 Wesley Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 , and at his committal service and internment on Monday, September 21, 2015 from 2:00 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. at Cedar Hill Cemetery , 706 Route 9W, Newburgh, NY 12550; with Rabbi Larry Freedman officiating.  Joseph’s family invites everyone to join them for a time of food and fellowship at Lois and George Handler’s home following the interment.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Special Olympics, 1133 19th Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20036; www.specialolympics.org , or to Planned Parenthood Federation of America , Inc., Attn: Online Services Program, 434 West 33rd Street, New York, NY 10001; www.plannedparenthood.org .

Joseph’s family has entrusted his care to Myers – Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read Joseph’s full obituary, view his memorial portrait, and sign his official guest book at www.Myers-Buhrig.com .