Mr. Joseph William Dufort

May 2, 1948 - September 3, 2019

Joseph William Dufort, born May 2, 1948, passed away suddenly on September 3, 2019. Joe was the fourth of nine children born to Harold R. Dufort and Marion Derochie Dufort of Malone NY. Joe graduated from Franklin Academy in Malone in 1966 and went on to study at Jefferson Community College before enlisting in the US Army in April 1968. A true patriot who loved his country, Joe bravely served in Vietnam during his time on active duty and continued his service in the US Army Reserve, 310th Field Hospital in Malone. He was also longtime director of the Veteran's Administration of Franklin County. On August 1, 1981, Joe married the love of his life, Gisele Charlebois, and together they enjoyed 38 years of happiness, fulfillment and the support of each other. Joe was a member of the American Legion, the Malone Amvets and a longtime member of the Malone Golf Club where he enjoyed the companionship, laughter and good times with his many friends. Joe was a devout Catholic attending weekly masses in the various churches of the St. Andre Parish in Malone. He was an avid sports fan, who enjoyed watching and vigorously supporting the NY Yankees, NY Giants and the Syracuse Orange. Joe also had a passion for reading, enjoying all books especially those on History. Joe is survived by his devoted wife, Gisele, son, Ryan (Magda) Dufort of California and daughter, Katie (Jay) Walsh of Saratoga Springs, NY and his three beloved grandsons Luka, London and Lennox Dufort of California, sisters Janice (David) Hourihan of Glens Falls, Sue Ellen Brown of Syracuse and Mary (Mark Yando) McGrath, Malone and brothers Stephen (Claire) Dufort, Malone and William (Anne) Dufort of Dublin, Ohio. He is also survived by many sisters-in-law including Lee Dufort, Malone, brothers-in-law as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. Joe was predeceased by his parents Harold and Marion Dufort, mother-in-law and father-in-law, Marguerite and Paul Charlebois, a sister, Cheryl Dufort and brothers Barry Dufort and Lynn Dufort. Calling hours are planned for this Friday afternoon, September 6th, from 4pm to 7pm at St. Mary-Murphy-Wilcox Funeral Home in Malone and a Christian Mass will be held at Notre Dame Church in Malone at 11:00am on Saturday, September 7, 2019. A Christian burial in Notre Dame Cemetery will follow the mass. Among other charities, Joe was a supporter of the American Heart Association and the Wounded Warrior Project for anyone wishing to make a donation.