Obituary of Joseph Matthew Panus

Joseph M. Panus, a longtime resident of Victor, N.Y., passed away at his home in Melbourne Beach, Fla., on August 21, 2019, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was 81. Joe was born and raised in Olean, N.Y., where he graduated from high school in 1955. He went on to graduate from the Rochester Institute of Technology in 1962, where he met the love of his life, Joan Gleason, whom he married later that year in Lima, N.Y. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, he earned the rank of First Lieutenant before leaving the service in 1966. He went on to spend the majority of his career in sales in the greater Rochester area. An entrepreneur at heart, he eventually opened his own store, Stone’s Throw Wine & Liquor, which he and Joan operated in Victor from 1987 to 2001. Joe was active in the St. Patrick’s Church parish, and member of the Victor-Farmington Rotary Club. In retirement, he and Joan made their home in Melbourne Beach, Fla., with an interlude in Griffin, Ga. Joe was a devoted husband, proud father and an even prouder “Dziadzia” to his four grandchildren. He will be remembered for his keen wit and outgoing personality, and as a talented piano player, gardener and handyman. He was extremely proud of his Polish heritage and thrilled to have the opportunity to visit his ancestral homeland during his retirement. He also was an honorary Irishman by marriage as well as through his appreciation for the juice of the barley. Joe is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Joan G. Panus; three children, Mark of Mendham, N.J., Stephen (Kellie) of Southport, Conn., and Sarah of Boca Raton, Fla.; sister, Anne Bogardus of Derry, N.H.; and grandchildren Matthew, Michelle, Jackson and Liam, as well as many nieces, nephews and friends. Visitation will take place on Friday, August 23 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Ammen Family Cremation and Funeral Care, 1001 South Hickory Street, Melbourne. A Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, August 24 at 1:00 PM at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 3780 Highway A1A, Melbourne Beach. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Hospice of St. Francis, Starfish – Attn: Ann Harr, 6509 N. Wickham Road, Suite 403, Melbourne, FL 32940