A memorial service for Mr. Josef E. Kormesser, 85, will be held at 5 p.m., Wednesday, June 1, 2011. at Our Lady Help of Christians Church.

Mr. Kormesser entered into eternal peace on Sunday, May 8, 2011, in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his family.

Mr. Kormesser was born in Vienna, Austria, and then resided in New Jersey, where he met his soulmate, Annie. They retired to Jennings, where they spent the past 18 years. Mr. Kormesser was a member of Our Lady Help of Christians Church. He enjoyed music and entertaining. He was a friend to everyone he met with his kind heart and wonderful smile.

Survivors include his beloved wife, Annie; his daughter, Lisa Viggiani and her partner Kathlee Farina of Warwick, N.Y.; his son, Al (Kim) Kormesser of Miami, Fla.; one grandson, Richard Josef Viggiani of Nyack, N.Y.; and two granddaughters, Elizabeth Collins and Melissa Kormesser of Miami, Fla.

Mr. Kormesser wanted those that knew him and loved him to know: “When I am gone, release me and let me go, so I can move into my afterglow. You must not tie me down with your tears. Let’s be happy that we had so many years. I gave you my love and you can only guess, how much you gave me such happiness. I thank you for the love you have shown, but now it’s time I travel alone. So grieve for me a while if grieve you must. Then let your grief be comforted with trust. It’s only for a while that we must part. So bless the memories within your heart. And then when you must come this way alone, I’ll greet you with a smile and a “Welcome home.”

Josef Kormesser, or Mr. “Joe”, as he was so affectionately called by the Germanfest Folk Singers, began playing his piano accordion for the Roberts Cove Germanfest Folk Singers in October 1996, only one year after it was started. He and his wife, Anna, were instrumental in teaching us how to sing the new spirited songs we have been singing for the last sixteen years. It was inspirational how he handled his piano accordion for ten years, encouraging us with his music.