Joseph Carl Slate Sr. 83, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 7, 2025 at his home where he was surrounded by his loving wife and four children.

Joseph was born February 20, 1942 to parents Stanley and Lillian Peer Slate of Hounsfield. The family owned and operated a small dairy farm on the Fields Road in Hounsfield. There he met the love of his life, Sandra Lee Hayes. Her family owned the farm next door. They fell in love as childhood sweethearts.

Joe and Sandra were married on August 27, 1960 at the Sulphur Springs Methodist Church. The next three years they helped with the family farm.

In March of 1963 they moved to Honeyville and purchased the Morris McIntosh farm on Fuller Road. There they built their dream of an "American Farmer," winning many prestigious awards or producing quality milk for the Dairylea Co-Operative Inc, Kraft Farms, and Queens Farms. They were also presented with the "Super Milk" award from the New York State Senate. These achievements were accomplished over a span of 45 years of dairy farming. Joe was very proud of these accomplishments, which cover the walls of their home.

Joe was a determined man, one of his word, and honored it. He instilled a work ethic into his children in which you "finish the job you started", "do it right the first time", and "long hours pay off." 

His hobbies included refinishing furniture, mowing his lawn, and building rocking horses for each of his seven grandchildren, which have become a family heirloom. His biggest joy in his life was to have his family around him with lots of conversations about the good ole' days. 

 He is survived by his wife Sandra; children: Cynthia Ann (Fred) Overton, Worth, Joseph Carl Jr. (Brenda Ramus), Adams Center, Wendy Sue (Joe) Panetta, Adams Center, William Kenneth (Sarah Arena) Mannsville; his seven amazing grandchildren: Emilie Harnas (Josh) Conley, Ashley Harnas (Jay Hunt) Gregory, Victoria Panetta (Brian) Brown, Abigail Panetta (Jesse Bedore), Joseph Carl III (Danielle) Slate, Corey Slate (Meghan Stewart), Thomas Slate (Dana Rabetoy); ten wonderful great grandchildren: Liam and Owen Conley, Cian, Cody, and Conor Gregory, Brynlee Brown, Joseph Carl IV, Jase, Leeana, and Jaxon Slate; his brothers: Wilfred (Willy) and Stanley Dean, both in the state of Washington; sister-in-laws: Geraldine Slate, JoAnn Roberts, Carole Furgison, Marcia Paradis, Liz (Steven) Sboro, and Nancy (Bill) Gould; many nephew, nieces, and cousins; his childhood best friend: David Robinson, Syracuse; close family friends: William Harnas, Darlene Slate, Denise Quinn, and William Farrington. 

Joe is predeceased by his parents; his in-laws: Kenneth and Beulah Hayes; brother: Collon Slate; brother in-laws: David Roberts, Paul Furgison, and Gene Brunozzi.

A private family graveside service will be in the Union Cemetery, Adams Center, with Assistant Pastor, Jeff Gleason officiating.

Donations of your choice be made to: South Jefferson Rescue Squad, South Jefferson Back Pack Program, or South Jefferson CSD FFA Program.

Arrangements with the Piddock Funeral Home Inc, Adams.

Condolences and memories may be made at www.piddockfuneralhome.com