The family of Joseph E. Hoskeer announce his death at age 88 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. Mr. Hoskeer was the son of Victor and Marguerite Hoskeer and was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. He graduated from Arms Academy in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts, and served with the U. S. Army in Germany.

In the early 1960s, Mr. Hoskeer was a portable asphalt plant foreman, paving the new interstate highways in Vermont and New Hampshire. He then worked as production manager at Millipore Corp. in Massachusetts before being promoted to facility manager and director of building & construction. Later he joined the Norfolk Asphalt Co. as general manager.

Mr. Hoskeer spent half his life in the rural town of Sherborn, Massachusetts, where he enjoyed the country life and his good friends and neighbors, many of whom called him “Mr. Fix-it.” Joe was not only a loving and generous provider for his family and extended family, but also was kind to his fellow man—be it filling a gas tank for a man down on his luck with a car full of children (when early on Joe had little spare cash himself), finding a job for an unemployed person, or advising about building or gardening. He and his sense of humor were appreciated by all who knew him. He loved working with his hands and in addition to the furniture he ,made, he left behind numerous beautiful wood items which he was proud to say he made on a wood lathe he built himself out of spare parts.

Mr. Hoskeer always enjoyed traveling with his family, and they have many happy memories of their times together. They will miss him terribly forever. Mr. Hoskeer was devoted to his beloved wife of 56 years, Pat (Whelan), and was extremely proud of his beloved son, Christian, whom he leaves with his wife, Julie, all of Boothbay Harbor. He also leaves his sister Christine Dwight of Bernardston, Massachusetts, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was pre-deceased by his brother David.

The family has not planned any public service. In lieu of flowers donations to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (800-708-7644) or Grand Central Station, P. O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163-4777, are suggested if one wishes.