Life After Tappan Zee

Joseph Horner - "Joe"

1957 Graduation Picture

Joe graduated from Tappan Zee in l957 and attended Ithaca College of Music where he continued his training in piano and classical music. After leaving college, he worked in the operating room at Nyack Hospital, then served in the Navy aboard the USS Boston. After service he entered the field of surgical instrument sales eventually becoming the Surgical Instrument Sales Specialist for the Storz Instrument Company. He made two videos used as training for other salesman, and won many awards with his company. Upon his death the company named one of their instruments after him.

Joe’s interests and enthusiasms ranged from music, to history, to wood-working ,to nature, to photography,to performing.

His love of music led him in many paths and was instilled in his three children . He played the organ at the Reformed Church in Piermont in the 60’s, performed in local musical productions, in the 70’ and 80’s and even played in Marat Sade in NYC-not Broadway-Wall Street! He continued playing piano all his life - classical one moment, silly renditions of Take Me Out to the Ball Game with the wrong notes the second. Yes, if you knew Joe, you knew his zany side-he never lost it. He loved to play 4 hand piano with his 2 daughters, or accompany his guitar/saxaphone playing son. Our house was always full of music and Joe was always whistling or singing.

Joe also loved nature, knew the names of every bird and tree and was happiest in his garden.

Joe and I (Ann Petrak) married in 1965 and had 27 wonderful years together. We lived in New City until moving to Monroe in 1970. Joe restored the old farmhouse we bought, and then in1980 we relocated in Monroe to our current house which had the two acres Joe wanted complete with stream and woods. Here he was able to have the wood working shop he loved, where he started a wooden puzzle making business.

Joe died unexpectedly on June 13th,1993 ..