In Memory of

Joseph

E.

Dyer

Obituary for Joseph E. Dyer

It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Joseph Edward Dyer.
Joe passed away peacefully on January 6, 2017 in Suffield, CT. He was born in Vinalhaven, ME on December 7, 1924, the son of the late Leslie B. Dyer and Hazel (Rogers) Dyer. Joe spent the early part of his life on the island of Vinalhaven and graduated from Vinalhaven High School. He continued working as a lobsterman and captain of privately owned yachts, and then was accepted into the Honors Program at the University of Maine, Orono, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business. Upon graduation, Joe worked for Blue Cross/Blue Shield before accepting a position with what was to become Linweave, Inc., a large paper company based in Holyoke, MA. Due to his gregarious nature, he excelled at sales and eventually became Vice President of Sales. A natural-born storyteller, Joe could tell a tale like no other. He was generous to many and had countless friends. Joe especially loved to talk about his five grandsons, Kyle and Sam Keir, Wesley Oltsch, and Zachary and William Karanian, all of whom were a great source of pride for him. He was a man of keen intelligence and wit and was an avid reader and amateur historian. He was also a self-taught musician and could play many musical instruments, including the piano, organ, harmonica and accordion. Joe remained sharp as a tack to the end of his life and always had a ready audience, whether playing piano or telling a story. He took great pride in the home he built in Suffield, CT and the life he provided for his family, which included an array of dogs, cats, geese, ducks and a stable full of horses, and he delighted in watching his daughters compete in horse shows throughout the Northeast. Joe enjoyed politics, reading, golfing and cooking for as many people as he could fit at his table. He also enjoyed learning about his ancestry and reveled in his Mayflower Society membership, as a direct descendant of Stephen Hopkins. In addition to his parents, Joe was predeceased by his beloved grandfather, Frank Rogers, and siblings, Leslie, Burt, and Richard Dyer, Carolyn Bullerwell and Ada Williams. He is survived by three daughters, Deborah Dyer of Suffield, CT, Diana Keir and husband Drew of North Granby, CT and Deedee Karanian and husband John of Powhatan, VA, brothers Philip Dyer and wife Sadie, of Vinalhaven, ME and Edward Dyer and wife Eileen, of Fairfield, OH, as well as many cherished nieces, great nieces, nephews, great nephews, and their families. Joe will be missed by many. A private burial has been arranged and a memorial service is planned for early Summer in Vinalhaven, ME. Condolences may be left with Browne Memorial Funeral Chapels at www.brownefuneralhome.com