Joseph J. Kasper

Joseph J. Kasper, 91, longtime resident of Londonderry, entered into eternal peace on Friday, April 2, 2010, after many months of declining health. He joins his beloved wife of 65 years, Martha, who died on Nov. 1, 2009, and his daughter Jeanne Ochsner, of Napa, CA, who died unexpectedly last July. He was born in Nashua NH on February 11, 1919, the son of Konstanty and Josefa (Molis) Kasper. After graduating from Nashua High School, he attended Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Technical School in Hartford, CT, and was subsequently hired as a precision grinder. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942 and was trained as an aviation machinists mate in Memphis, TN, achieving highest honors. He was then stationed at the Naval Air Base in Norfolk, VA. From there, he left for Point Magoo in California to prepare for active duty in the Pacific Theater. He served as an aircraft mechanic aboard ship during the Battle of Okinawa, and was honorably discharged from the Navy in December 1945. Joseph married Martha Alexander in August 1944. Upon his return from active duty, they resided in Derry before moving to Londonderry in 1948. He worked for several years at American Shearer Manufacturing as a tool and die engineer. He was then hired by Great American Plastics Co. in Nashua, ultimately achieving the position of Chief Tool and Die Engineer, overseeing the Machine Shop until the company's closing in the mid 1970s. Lastly, he worked for ten years for Massachusetts Stamping in Nashua before his retirement in 1984. From boyhood, Joseph developed a deep, abiding love for the natural world, and throughout his adult life fervently supported numerous environmental and wildlife organizations. He loved photography, his books, and was an ardent devotee to classical music, especially that of Bach, Beethoven, Mozart and Vivaldi. He was a meticulous man in all his endeavors and it showed in his creative projects throughtout his life. He was also well-known among his family and friends for his love of politics and lively conversation. Throughout the years, Joe and Martha enjoyed travelling to the mountains, lakes, the ocean and just about anywhere New England. They loved parties, get-togethers with family and friends, flea-marketing, antiquing, and shared a tremendous passion for gardening. Besides his wife and younger daughter, Joseph was predeceased by his caring son-in-law, David J. Dubay, who died in January, and by his cousin, Edward Molis of Denver, CO, who died on Feb. 28. He is survived by his devoted daughter, Elizabeth Dubay, of Londonderry, his dear sister, Helen, of Glencliff, NH, his son, John Kasper, of Vallejo, CA, granddaughters Tammy Hay of Napa, CA, and Cherilyn Ponton of Nashua, NH, five great-grandkids and many nieces and nephews. Joseph is also survived by his cherished family members in Vilnius, Lithuania, with whom he and Martha fondly shared decades of communication and strong family ties. He will be dearly missed as is Martha. Together with those of his wife, his ashes will be interred at a graveside memorial service later this month. To view an online obituary and sign the guestbook, please go to www.csnh.com.