1955 – 2019
Thompson – Joseph J. Lindley, 63, of Hill Rd., passed away October 25, 2019, in Massachusetts General Hospital after a long battle with a heart condition. He was the loving husband of Suzanne (Tellier) Lindley. Born in Bossier City, Louisiana, he was the son of Joseph and Maureen (Patterson) Lindley.
In Joe’s own words, “Joe lived with his wife and best friend of 43 years, Sue. His two sons, Sean & Jonathan both live in CT. Some of his past accomplishments include being an Army Officer serving most of his 11 years as a Combat Engineer, published six books, three about local forgotten war heroes. The others involve coaching youth athletics. Joe’s two favorite sports are baseball and basketball. He had 25 years of experience coaching the two sports, ranging from little league to the high school level. He spent 18 years of his professional life at C & M Corporation where he started as an Engineering Manager and worked his way up to the President of the Special Products Division. He held a B.S. in Concentrated Studies (Business and Youth Counseling) and an M.A. E.D. in Adult Education and Distance Learning.” Joe was an amazing person with incredible stories that he was excited to share.
Joe was also involved in many community organizations, including the Thompson Historical Society, Tourtellotte Memorial High School Alumni Association, Board of Education, Juvenile Review Board, and Board of Trustees for the Tourtellotte Trust.
In addition to his wife, Joseph is survived by two sons, Sean Lindley of Putnam, CT, Jonathan Lindley and his wife Jessica of Wallingford, CT; four sisters, Kathy Weidman and her husband Richard of Moon of Wayne, PA, Pat Chadbourne and her husband Chad of Glen Rose, TX, Karen Lindley of Lancaster, SC, Donna Butterworth and her husband John of Monroe, NC; and many nieces and nephews; and great-nieces and great-nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Joseph’s family from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 31, 2019, with a funeral service at 1:00 p.m. in the Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St, Putnam, CT. Burial to follow in East Thompson Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Thompson Historical Society, P.O. Box 47, Thompson, CT 06277 or to the Tri-Town American Legion Baseball Program (TTALB) P.O. Box 123, Putnam, CT 06260-0123. For memorial guestbook visit www. GilmanAndValade.com.
Levesque Family
Sue and family,
Joe was an outstanding human and while you all know this his impact on many others lives were deeply touched. My family will truly miss him and are so grateful for the time that we did share with him. Old soul is what I always felt. His words and knowledge were beyond passionate but his love for you and his family always was shown. I hope you find peace in one of the greatest gifts of knowing he will always be in our hearts and his shoes can never be filled. Condolences and hugs to you all.
Terry Guertin
So very sorry for the loss Joe. He will be very much missed by his family & many friends. His contributions to his community will long be remembered. RIP in Joe.
Phyllis Morrison
Dear Sue and family. I am so very sorry to read of Joe’s passing.
He was always so pleasant when you met him.
You spent many wonderful years together and you will have those cherished memories.
Suncerely
Phyllis Morrison.
Donald Morin
So sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. Joe will be remembered for all of his accomplishments and good deeds for others. He had a deep love of Thompson and it’s history. He was a hero of Thompson. Bless his soul.
Taylor Rocco (White)
Coach lindley made me fall in love with basketball. He was an amazing coach and friend. He was always there for us both on the court and off. When I lived with my parents on Hill road , I enjoyed waving to him every time I drove by. He will truly be missed but he has made his mark on this earth. May he Rest In Peace.
Rich (Cricket) & Karen Renaud
Deepest Sympathy to Joe’s family. He was a great guy and a good golf ‘buddy’. He will be missed by many.
JOHN PROCTOR
I first met Joe when I presented to the Thompson Historical Society about Henry W. Brown, my great great uncle who was born in Thompson, CT and served in the Civil War. Joe’s interest in Thompson’s history immediately became known. He asked me about doing a book on Henry’s letter sent home to his father Benjamin. I eagerly accepted his offer and we worked together for about two years and became good friends as we were both educators and former coaches, I was so impressed with his support of all things related to Thompson. He deserved the title, “Mr. Thompson.” He visited my cousin Henry who owned the letters and I coxed him to give the letters to the Thompson Historical Society, Joe would later present us with the Thompson Historical Society Preservation award. He was so happy to get those letters for the town and informed everyone they were the best collection of Civil War letters from an enlisted man in the State. What a fabulous human being he was. My condolences go out to his family and the Thompson community for they have lost their best friend and supporter.
Linda Finelli
Sincere thoughts and prayers for you Sue and the family. May he rest in peace in the arms of our Lord.
Christine Sullivan
Dear Sue and family, I’m sending you my deepest condolences. Please know that it’s hard to believe Joe is In a better place, but I trust in God that he is not suffering any more. He was such a good person.
Elmer and Carol Preston
So sorry for your loss my prayers are with all of the family
Lenny Tellier
All I can say is he is one of the best men I have ever met in my life. I can truly say he would give you the shirt off his back no matter who you were. He was a caring generous and dedicated man to what he believed in. To my kids he was Uncle Joe and when they saw him their eyes lite up because he was always fun to be around and loving person. He will be missed by all whos lives he touched.
Russ & Louise Downer
Dear Sue, Sean, Jonathan and family.. we are so sorry for your loss of Joe. He was definitely one of a kind. Joe was a very compassionate and giving soul. Our favorite memories of Joe was spent at the baseball field during summer evenings for many years. He was the best story teller and always managed to find one last ‘cold one’ at the bottom of an iced filled cooler. Rest In Peace my friend.. you will be greatly missed by all who know you.
Jessica Challinor Boyd
You will always be in my heart Uncle Joe you got me hooked on black licorice as a baby and 40 something years later I still love it
Michael Bellisario
Sue, Sean and Jon. As you know all so well Joe was an amazing husband, father and so much more. I had the pleasure of meeting Joe back when our boys were in T ball and later coaching with him. We enjoyed many rounds of golf together and I will miss him dearly. I will cherish the memories that I have with him of which there are many. He led his life to the fullest and never made excuses. I enjoyed our talks together and our sparing over politics. Until we meet again my friend. Peace to all your family and friends.
Laurie Wlaszkiewicz
So sorry that Joe has passed away. Worked with him at C&M for years. Rest In Peace Joe
Todd R. Smith CSM (Ret)
Sue and family,
I am so sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. I met Joe at OCS in 1981 and we became instant friends. Our careers in the Army National Guard crossed a few times. When I became active in the American Legion our paths crossed again. It was an honor and a privilege to have known Joe and more importantly to have been his friend. My deepest condolences to you and your family.
Joyce hebert
I am so sorry, he will he missed, he will be watching over all of you from above and smiling, all of you are in my thoughts and prayers
Diana Tellier Wentworth
Sue I am so very sorry for your loss. My prayers and thoughts are with you.
Angela Naples
Sue and family, so sorry for your loss. Joe sounded like an amazing man and a loving husband/father. You’re in my thoughts and prayers. Angela Naples
Cheryl
Sue , My deepest and heartfelt sympathy to you and your boys and family, on the loss of your husband . While I have never met your Joe , I could always hear in your voice of the love and friendship you shared . Sending love , strength and prayers to all of you in the days ahead .. xo❤️
Teresa Riley
I had the pleasure of working with Joe at C&M he was an amazing person. My condolences his family.
Anita Santerre
Sue and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
Mike, Anita and Dave Santerre
Tom and Vanessa Bendon
We send our love to all of Joe’s family.
He will be sorely missed, but wow, he really had a life well lived!
Rest now Joe.
Nancy Rennell
I’m so sorry to hear about you husband passing . May God bless you and keep you and your boys near in this difficult time.
Sincerely Nancy Rennell
Ray Palmer
Sue and family, our deepest condolences for your loss. Joe performed an invaluable service for military history with his book, “Forgotten Hero” about his boyhood friend Calvin Heath. Calvin served in Vietnam with Delta Company, 3/187th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division in 1968. Calvin fought heroically while badly wounded in a fierce battle on March 18-19, 1968. Despite his valor, the Army treated him abysmally upon his return to the states due to bureaucratic snafus, poor stateside leadership, and discrimination. He lived in disgrace for many years before his Delta Company officers learned of his plight and helped him restore his dignity along with his Veteran’s benefits and a Silver Star. Joe worked tirelessly on this project, traveling around the country to hear from many survivors of that battle to make sure he got the story straight. Those of us in Delta Company could never thank Joe enough for what he did for our war buddy. We came to regard Joe as one of our own.
Judith Smith
To Joe’s family –
I had the pleasure of meeting your Joe through our work on the JRB at TEEG. He immediately impressed me as an intelligent, compassionate, and fun-to-be-around man. My heart-felt condolences; his earthly light shines bright in heaven.
Peach Campbell
I am so sorry to hear about Joe passing. He was such a great human being. I loved his humor and they way he made everyone laugh. My condolence to all family and friends
Kristine Drew
I am so sorry for your loss. I knew Joe through our work together on JRB. He was always kind, firm when appropriate and worked hard to do what was best for the young people who came through the program. He also had a fine dry wit that I truly appreciated. He will be missed by the community, and his work with young people will be remembered with great gratitude.
Sincerely,
Kris Drew
Sara Laughlin
I am so sorry for your loss. There was something about Joe that just by being around him you wanted to be a better person. Joe was a very special.
Robyn (latici) fulford brown
Sue and family, I am so sad to hear of joe’s passing. He was a wonderful man and will be deeply missed. You are in my prayers. God bless!
Joseph Iamartino
Joe was an inspirational leader, a can-do person, and a great human being. Thompson was made so much better by this man. He will be sorely missed for his humor, compassion, energy and vision. We lost a great one…….
I will miss my friend so much.
I want to mention that Sue, his wife, did everything she could to give him the most positive quality of life possible in these last years. The average man might have not have withstood the rigors of the treatments but having Sue beside him allowed Joe to live a highly productive life to his last days. Joe, down to his core, wanted to contribute to his community in any way he could and how he did so! Thank you Sue and to all of Joe’s friends for helping him so much through these challenging last years.
Darlene Berube
Sue,
I cannot express enough my deep sorrow at the passing of Joe. He was such a dear, dear friend. In the 40 plus years I knew Joe he was always the most upbeat and optimistic person I ever met and who enjoyed life to the fullest. Even when he was battling his heart condition he always remained positive and willing to step in whenever anyone needed him. Joe was one of a kind and I will miss him dearly.
Kris Almquist
If you knew Joe, your life was better for it. He was like another brother to me, and Sue is an angel on earth. My best to his friends and family as we all reflect on his passing.
Glenn & Tammy Carlson
So sorry for the entire Lindley family. Joe was a inspiration to anyone who ever met him. We had the pleasure of chatting with him recently and loved every.minute of it. He will truly be missed. He did so much fpr everyone. RIP Joe. He was a great man. To the Lindleys comes our heartfelt sympathy. Memories of Joe will always be with me
Beth Lynch Marc Sarazin
Dear Sue
Marc and I send our sympathy for your loss. Our hearts are with you and your family. Joe will be missed by all .
With love Marc And Beth
Sonja brimmer
There are no words that I could say that would make you feel better….however the bits and pieces of of the inner workings of the relationship that the two of shared ..we all try to live by…that small little impact will always carry on. We will always think of you both. You are in our prayers.
Rob Gosselin
Our condolences to joe an his family, I’ve known joe for a long time great father ,friend and coach you will be missed my friend!
Michael Lindley
My deepest condolences to the family of Joe Lindley. As my older cousin growing up I remember Joe’s intelligence, intensity and outgoing personality. His accomplishments during his life are truly remarkable and touched so many people! Rest in Peace.
Karen Tata
I am so sorry for you loss. Joe was an amazing member of our community here at Marianapolis. He touched the lives of our youth as a coach and father. His influence helped form who they are today. My prayers are with you during this difficult time. May your memories carry you forward.
Kristi Durocher
So sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. He will be missed!
He was ( and is) such an influential and knowledgeable person. May God comfort you and fill you with His blessings. Our love goes out to all of his family
Dave Ertsgard
So sorry to hear this news. I worked with Joe at C&M for many years. Joe was always a fair, honest and smart man. He taught me many things I will never forget. On occasion Joe and I would clash over my service in the Marines and his service in the Army but it was always in good taste and fun. I will miss him dearly.
1SG (Ret) Drew Wesche
I spent some time in Officer Candidate School with Joe! He was a great guy, had a great wit and I recall doing many pushups with Joe. My condolences to the family
Su Spiewakowski
So truly sorry for the loss of Joey. My thoughts and prayers are with your entire family
John Krot
To the Lindley Family:
My deepest sympathies. I heard about Joe’s passing at a Zone 6 Legion Baseball meeting. Everett Shepard passed on the sad news. The many times that I had the pleasure of meeting with Joe or just talking with him, I always left feeling better. He had a way to put things in perspective. Whenever you had the opportunity to talk with Joe, one thing was perfectly clear – he cared about kids, he cared about baseball and he cared about providing opportunities for kids to play baseball. He also cared about his community and was wiling to help in any way. He will be sorely missed but never forgotten. I hope the many memories you have of Joe will give you strength & guidance to get you through the difficult days ahead. He was a very special individual who made a positive difference in the lives of some many people. May he rest in peace.
John Krot
Zone 6 American Legion Baseball Commissioner
Kate Gorczynski
I spent a little time working with Joe on projects while I worked at the Thompson Library. He was so involved and enthusiastic about everything he researched , I always was pleased to help out. My sincere condolences to his family.