Obituary: Joseph Martin Schuster Jr., 83, of Bethel

BETHEL, CT — Joseph Martin Schuster Jr., age 83, of Bethel died at his home after a short illness on Tuesday Sept. 17, 2019. He was the husband of the late Charlotte Elaine (Banks) Schuster.

Joe was born on July 30, 1936 in San Pierre, Indiana to Joseph Martin Schuster, Sr and Leona (Farrah) Schuster. After High School graduation Joe enlisted in the US Navy on June 21, 1954 until he was honorably discharged on June 21, 1962. During the Navy, while on leave with a navy buddy and attending a party in Bethel, Joe met the love of his life Charlotte Elaine Banks. It was not long after that Joe proposed marriage and they were married at the Bethel Methodist Church.

Joe worked as a draftsman at a local manufacturing plant and attended night school at Central Connecticut State College for many years and received a bachelor’s degree in vocational teaching. He then left the manufacturing field and taught drafting and blue print reading at Henry Abbott Technical School for many years. He touched and helped to shape many lives during his career at Abbot Tech. He was named teacher of the year by the state of Connecticut in 1986.

After Joe and Charlotte both retired at the age of 55, they enjoyed traveling together, renting cottages in the summer in upstate New York and bringing his entire family with them, watching the UCONN women basketball games, and golfing with his golf buddies.

Joe is survived by a sister Mildred Baldwin of South Bend, Indiana, and many loving nieces and nephews all living in Bethel and surrounding towns.

There will be no calling hours and the burial will be private. Gifts to honor Joe can be given in his name to the St. Thomas Episcopal Church at 95 Greenwood Ave. Bethel Ct 06801.