In Memoriam
Joseph L.G. Mone, 85
November 18, 1936 – July 12, 2022
KNOXVILLE, TN – Joseph L.G. Mone will be sorely missed by his loving family and the many students and music communities he influenced and inspired over the years. Known to all as Joe, he was born in Suffern, NY on November 18, 1936. He attended Ithaca College for music education, and then stepped into a lifetime of music!
Joe was an accomplished musician. Playing upwards of 30 instruments, he was most known for drums, percussion, trumpet, flugelhorn, and woodwinds. He performed his entire life as a professional musician as well as being a formidable force as a music teacher.
Joe taught in the Eldred, Oriskany, Franklin, and Liberty Central Schools before making his way to Laurens Central School and then Cooperstown Central School where he ultimately retired in 1977. During his time as Director of Music at CCS there were 15 active vocal and instrumental groups K-12, as well as the Drill and Parade Color Guards. He built up the music department to be one of the largest, strongest, and most honored in all of New York State and beyond. The groups, ensembles, and soloists excelled everywhere, including All County Music and Area All-State Festivals, Jazz Band and Marching Band competitions, various clinics, and music activities – a testament to his exemplary teaching, unwavering commitment to excellence, boundless energy, and the passion he ignited in his students. Because of his guidance, many went on to be educators, performers, and music industry professionals with highly successful and award-winning careers.
Joe was also a percussion and brass instructor at Hartwick College and SUNY Oneonta and actively performed with the Utica, Oneonta, and Catskill Symphony Orchestras, as well as his own band, the J.M. Sound. He was a member of AFM, MENC, NAJE, NEA, NYSEA, NYSSMA, DCMEA, OCMEA, SCMEA, Elks #1312, and the national music fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha.
Joe is survived by his wife, Bernadette Popek Mone (Knoxville, TN); son, Joseph L.N. Mone, and wife, Brenda (Garnerville, NY); son, Dominic J. Mone, and wife, Vickie (York, PA); stepchildren: Walter, Jed and Jessica Popek (Knoxville, TN); and four grandchildren: Michael, Matthew, Melissa, and Maximus Mone. He is pre-deceased by his beloved father, Joseph L. Mone, his mother Mary Evelina Gates Mone, and his son Enrico C. Mone.
Per his wishes, he donated his body to science and no public service was held. To celebrate his life and legacy, donations can be made to the Joseph L.G. Mone “Music Matters” Memorial Scholarship Fund at gofund.me/2a8c3102. This scholarship will award music students in both Cooperstown and Laurens Central School districts who are pursuing higher education.
He would want us all to keep the music alive!
Bernadette and family I am so sorry to hear of your loss please know I’m thinking of you
Bernadette and family I am so sorry to hear of your loss please know I’m thinking of you
He encouraged me in percussion, taught me tenor drums and orchestrated one of the best marching bands in Franklin history. He was truly a musical inspiration.
He encouraged me in percussion, taught me tenor drums and orchestrated one of the best marching bands in Franklin history. He was truly a musical inspiration.
He encouraged me in percussion, taught me tenor drums and orchestrated one of the best marching bands in Franklin history. He was truly a musical inspiration.
He encouraged me in percussion, taught me tenor drums and orchestrated one of the best marching bands in Franklin history. He was truly a musical inspiration.
I had a great relationship with Joe at Laurens Central School. He had a great influence on my life early on.
I had a great relationship with Joe at Laurens Central School. He had a great influence on my life early on.
AFM Local 443 mourns the passing of our union brother Joe Mone and raises his legacy up as a beacon for making a difference in communities through music and education.
AFM Local 443 mourns the passing of our union brother Joe Mone and raises his legacy up as a beacon for making a difference in communities through music and education.
Joe was a great influence on my son John. He took lessons with Joe for a long time. I knew Rico also was very gracious when around me, I’ll never forget their kindness. RIP
Joe was a great influence on my son John. He took lessons with Joe for a long time. I knew Rico also was very gracious when around me, I’ll never forget their kindness. RIP
Bernadette, thank you for sharing this tribute to Joseph with me. My grandmother was from Suffern, NY. Such a small world we live in.
I’m glad you’re my neighbor now. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.
Bernadette, thank you for sharing this tribute to Joseph with me. My grandmother was from Suffern, NY. Such a small world we live in.
I’m glad you’re my neighbor now. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.
Joe was a rather unique lively neighbor. A good soul who enhanced Life around him. Keep the music going Joe, wherever you are!
Joe was a rather unique lively neighbor. A good soul who enhanced Life around him. Keep the music going Joe, wherever you are!
Truly one of the most affluential teachers of our time. He shaped many minds and grew many to their full potential. One of my greatest memories of school is Joe Mone….
Truly one of the most affluential teachers of our time. He shaped many minds and grew many to their full potential. One of my greatest memories of school is Joe Mone….
I got to know Joe through my father Floyd Keith. They were good friends as both were teachers, Joe in Laurens at the time and my father at Delaware Academy in Delhi. We both played with Joe in the Oneonta Community Concert Band and loved how he added to the percussion section. I was so sorry to hear of his passing. My prayers are with your family.
I got to know Joe through my father Floyd Keith. They were good friends as both were teachers, Joe in Laurens at the time and my father at Delaware Academy in Delhi. We both played with Joe in the Oneonta Community Concert Band and loved how he added to the percussion section. I was so sorry to hear of his passing. My prayers are with your family.
Bernadette, I am sorry to learn of Joe’s passing. I will always cherish the time I spent performing with Joe and being with the two of you together. You are both in my thoughts and heart.
Bernadette, I am sorry to learn of Joe’s passing. I will always cherish the time I spent performing with Joe and being with the two of you together. You are both in my thoughts and heart.
Laurens was a little school with a big band and lots of awards. Joe Mone knew how to keep the students inspired.. A great loss to the music world.
Laurens was a little school with a big band and lots of awards. Joe Mone knew how to keep the students inspired.. A great loss to the music world.
I learned so much from Joe playing with him in the percussion section of the Utica Symphony. He was a Force! I am very sorry for your loss.
I learned so much from Joe playing with him in the percussion section of the Utica Symphony. He was a Force! I am very sorry for your loss.
My mom and I lived with joe in stony point he was like a big brother when my mom died my aunt Evelyn moved to cooperstown we lost touch but I will always remember joe sorry for your loss Boots
My mom and I lived with joe in stony point he was like a big brother when my mom died my aunt Evelyn moved to cooperstown we lost touch but I will always remember joe sorry for your loss Boots
I remember Joe as our music director at Eldred Central School in 1962. He inspired me through his direction of our Chorus that year. We followed the season of music up when he sent a friend of mine, Jim Purcell, and me to the area all state chorus in Ellenville. He helped continue my love of music throughout my life and I will remember him fondly!
Stuart D. Chandler
I remember Joe as our music director at Eldred Central School in 1962. He inspired me through his direction of our Chorus that year. We followed the season of music up when he sent a friend of mine, Jim Purcell, and me to the area all state chorus in Ellenville. He helped continue my love of music throughout my life and I will remember him fondly!
Stuart D. Chandler