Joseph B. Desmond, Jr.

Joseph B. Desmond, Jr.

Joseph B. Desmond, Jr., known as “Joe,” passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Salisbury Township.

Joe was born in Renovo, Pa., on June 1, 1935, two minutes after his twin sister, Joanne. He was a son of the late Joseph and Mary (Smith) Desmond.

Joe was married to his high school sweetheart, Martha Lucille Logue, from 1953 until Martha’s passing in 1975. His second marriage was to Sarah “Sally” Saylor, from 1977 until Sally’s passing in 2012.

Joe was also predeceased by three sisters and four brothers-in-law, Janice (Mike) Redos, Jean (Wes) Burrows, Joanne (Sol) Stellfox and Tom Culver.

Joe received a bachelor’s degree in teaching from Lock Haven State Teacher’s College, Lock Haven, Pa., and a master’s degree in Counselor Education from Penn State University, State College, Pa.

He dedicated his career to education at Bucktail Jr./Sr. High School, in various teaching positions, followed by many years as Guidance Counselor.

Joe was also very supportive of athletic programs at all levels in Renovo, as a co-founder of the “Midget League” for K-6 kids, and as coach of various Bucktail Jr./Sr. High School sports teams.

After retiring in 1993, he finally had more time to pursue his creative passion — as a needlepoint artist. His most well known projects were a series of white tuxedos, which he covered in all kinds of intricately embroidered Penn State Motifs and wore to Penn State football and basketball games, earning him the nickname “Tuxedo Joe.” Tuxedo Joe was often photographed at these sporting events and landed in many local newspapers in Pa. and across the country.

The bulk of Joe’s artistic work was beautiful, custom embroidery and needlepoint projects gifted to friends, family, athletes, churches and many organizations whose work he admired.

Joe will be missed by family across the country, family and friends in Clinton County, as well as those at the Lutheran Home at Topton in Topton, Pa., a wonderful senior community where he spent the last seven years enjoying new friendships with wonderful neighbors and staff.

Survivors include a sister, Joyce Culver, of Kaufman, Texas; his children, Joe Desmond, III, of Tucson, Ariz., Jeff Desmond, of Schuylkill Haven, Pa., Janet (Tom) Ferree, of Kutztown, Pa., Joan Desmond-Kritschgau (Juergen), of Lake Oswego, Ore., and Judith Hokanson (Paul) of Shoreview, Minn.; and extended family members.