GLENFIELD — The Rev. Paul DeForest Joslyn, 87, died on Wednesday Afternoon, February 13, 2019 at the Sunset Nursing & Rehabilitation Center of Boonville where he had been a resident since spring of 2018.
The Rev. Paul D. Joslyn was born on April 18, 1931 in Syracuse, the son of the late The Rev. Dr. John M. and Dorothy Ada (Burdick) Joslyn. The Rev. Joslyn graduated from Onondaga Valley Academy, Syracuse, Hartwick College, Oneonta, and graduated from the Lutheran Theological Seminary, Gettysburg, PA. He was ordained in the fall of 1959 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Staten Island.
He was united in marriage with Margaret (Peggy) Smith Joslyn on June 9, 1956 at Atonement Lutheran Church, Syracuse, with his father, The Rev. Dr. John M. Joslyn officiating.
He returned to Atonement Lutheran Church, Syracuse, his “home parish” where he served as assistant and associate with his father. While in Syracuse, he served as chairman of Inter-Synodical Leadership School, Silver Bay, a member of the executive board for the Lutheran Home, Clinton, and fire chaplain, Syracuse Fire Department.
He served Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, East Glenville, and served as a member of Upper N.Y., Synod of the ELCA, chairman of Burnt Hills area Inter Church Council, member of the board, Inter-Faith Community of Schenectady, member and secretary, East Glenville Volunteer Fire Co., and while at Good Shepherd he initiated Confirmation Camp. The Rev. Joslyn was also the Protestant chaplain of Schenectady County, and served the Inter-Faith Community, Schenectady.
The Rev. Joslyn accepted a call to Zion Lutheran Church, New Hartford in 1978, until the end of his active ministry in the Lutheran Church in 1994. While there he was a strong advocate for handicapped people of the Mohawk Valley, a liaison for the HIV-AIDS community, board member of Lutheran Homes, Clinton, and Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees.
During his retirement he could be found helping with the ministries of Forest Presbyterian Church, Lyons Falls, Headwaters Cluster of Episcopal Churches, and Trinity Episcopal Church, Lowville.
Surviving is his wife of 62 years, Margaret “Peggy”, their children, David and Janet Joslyn; John Joslyn and companion, Susan Buckingham; Sarah and Randy Anderson; a daughter-in-law, Susan Joslyn; Polish daughter, Ewa Lawrence and husband Tom; twelve grandchildren, seven great grandchildren; his sister, Nancy and John Richardson; a sister-in-law, Kay Joslyn, nieces and nephews.
He is predeceased by his son, Mark P. Joslyn, his granddaughter, Emily Anderson, and his brother, the Rev. John S. Joslyn.
His funeral service will be at the Zion Lutheran Church, New Hartford on Saturday, February 23, 2019 at 12:30 P.M. with the Rev. Dr. David Cleaver-Bartholomew, officiating. Rev. Joslyn will have a viewing from 11:00 A.M. until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers a contribution may be made to: Zion Lutheran Church, 630 French Road,
New Hartford, NY 13413; or Upstate NY Synod of the ELCA Young Adult Ministry, 5811 Heritage Landing Dr., East Syracuse, NY 13057-9360; and Habitat for Humanity, 2 Randolph Road, Plainfield, NJ 07060
An online message of condolence and sympathy may be made to: www.sundquistfh.com.