Joseph Joel Osman

Joseph Osman, known to all as "Joel" 81, of Tilton New Hampshire, formerly of Brooklyn New York, passed away on May 6th, 2016 at the New Hampshire Veterans Home in Tilton NH.

Joel was known for his boisterous, colorful personality with a gentle heart and an infectious jolly laugh. He was always boastful and proud of all of his family members and loved to tell stories that highlighted all of their achievements.

He was born at Brooklyn Zion hospital in Brooklyn, NY on May 17th, 1934, the first and eldest son of Jack and Sally Osman and spent his childhood and teen years living in an apartment in Bensonhurst Brooklyn with his beloved parents and brothers, Henry (Hank), Eli and Stan. Shortly after graduating Lafayette High School, he entered the Army and was stationed at Fort Dix, where he contracted spinal meningitis. He went home for a weekend and recovered and was then stationed in Alaska, where he had many adventures and was later honorably discharged as a private.

Joel loved his country and traveled cross country with friends to see as much of the United States as possible. He would later continue this love to share with his family and go on family vacations to places such as, the Grand Canyon, Colorado, California, New England and many other places.

Around 1966, he met Rochelle (Shelley) Edelman, whom he married in 1967. Soon after, Joel's dream of home ownership came true, as the couple purchased a small house in Sheepshead Bay Brooklyn; where they raised their beloved two girls, Claire and Amy. In 1982, the couple divorced by remained friendly.

Joel had worked briefly in the diamond industry in Manhattan with his father Jack but later discovered that diamond setting wasn't for him. He attended technical school for carpentry and eventually began working for the New York City Transit Authority as a carpenter and worked for them until his retirement. He also did carpentry on the side and was very proud of his carpentry skills.

Around 1985, Joel began a relationship with Marie Camera, of Bensonhurst Brooklyn and they remained together as boyfriend and girlfriend in spirit until his passing.

Joel was a father, grandfather, brother and friend who touched many with his kindness and beautiful smile. He is survived by his daughters, Claire McGovern and her husband Michael McGovern of Mount Pleasant South Carolina and Amy Smith and her husband, Daryn Smith of Berwick Maine; grandchildren, Sean & Ryan McGovern, Jacob, Mia and Lily Smith. He is also survived by his three brothers, Henry, Eli and Stan Osman and their families.

Joel's family would like to thank the wonderful staff at the New Hampshire Veterans Home and ask for family and friends to consider memorial donations to the home as they continue to care for our veterans or consider memorial donations to the alzheimers association.

A gathering to remember him will take place at Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 172 King Street in Boscawen, NH on Tuesday May 10th from 10-11 with funeral services in the funeral home chapel at 11. Committal services with military honors will follow at the NH State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen.