A Prayer Service will be held at 3:30P.M. on Wednesday August 24 2011 in the Ormond Beach Chapel of Lohman Funeral Homes. The Family will be receiving friends at the Funeral Home from 2 til 4 P.M. on Wednesday August 24 2011. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Brendan Catholic Church at a later date. Burial will be held at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell FL also at a later date.
Joseph was born March 9 1928 in Jersey City to Mary and Charles Bastan. After graduating high school in 1947 he was scouted by Mel Logan of the New York Giants and signed to the Mid Atlantic Team in Erie PA. He went to the Panama Canal Zone to pitch for the "Pilots". He then came back to the states and went to Sanford Florida for spring training for the Mid Atlantic League and then to the Coastal Plain League. He loved his baseball. He was drafted into the Army in 1950 and was stationed in Germany. After his discharge in 1952 he met Sophie Mikalow. They were married in 1953 and raised four children Mary Joann Joseph Alfred James and John Charles. In 1956 he joined the Jersey City Fire Department and started at Fire Engine 9 before going to Salvage I which later became Rescue I. As a Captain in 1966 he was awarded the Jersey City Kiwanis Award as Fireman of the Year for saving the life of a six year old. He retired as Deputy Chief after 33 years of Service.
He was a member of St. Brendan Roman Catholic Church the Fr. Eamon Gill Knights of Columbus #13018 as a 3rd Degree Knight the Jersey City Fire Dept. FMBA the American Legion Post #348 in Bricktown NJ St. Brendan Men's Club AARP #1057 (since 1990) where he assisted Sophie with the Tours for members for more than 11 years.
He loved traveling everywhere and the Big Band Music.
He is survived by his wife Sophie of 57 years; daughter Mary Joann; sons James (Bonnie) and John (Joy); Grandchildren Heather Elizabeth (Gadi) Attar William James (Lisa) Heather Lee and John Joseph Bastan. Great-Grandchildren Zachery Naomi and Evan Attar and Makayla Bastan; Brother Robert (Nancy) Bastan; Sister-in-laws Marie Bastan and Ann Conant; and many loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Mary and Charles son Joseph A. sister Winifred and brothers William and Charles.
Memorial Donations may be made in his memory to Halifax Health Hospice Care 3800 Woodbriar Trail Port Orange FL 32129 or to KAP Kelly Autism Program Bowling Green KY.
Condolences may be shared with the family at www.lohmanfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements are under the careful direction of Lohman Funeral Home Ormond.