Very Reverend Father Joseph Anselment, 89

Very Reverend Father Joseph Anselment, 89

The Very Reverend Father Joseph Anselment, V.F. died April 19, Holy Saturday evening.

Born Nov. 14, 1935, in Watervliet, he was the son of the late Albert and Mary (Finn) Anselment. He graduated from Catholic Central High School in Troy and attended seminary at St. Thomas in Bloomfield, Conn., St. Bernard’s in Rochester, and the Theological College of Catholic University in Washington D.C. He was ordained into the priesthood at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany by Bishop William Scully on May 27, 1961.

Father Anselment served as associate pastor at St. Vincent de Paul in Albany while also serving as a guidance counselor at Cardinal McCloskey High School. In 1962, he was assigned as associate pastor of St. Mary’s in Albany while serving as the assistant principal at Cardinal McCloskey. In 1968, he was named principal of Bishop Scully High School in Amsterdam. He served there until 1974, when he was named pastor of St. Peter’s in Stillwater. In 1994, he assumed the pastorate of Our Lady of the Annunciation in Queensbury until his retirement in 2005.

Father Joe loved the mountains and the outdoors. He was an avid hiker and skier, leading many parishioners over the years on hikes with memorable picnics and a view at the top. He was a member of the Adirondack 46ers High Peaks Club, climbing most of the peaks multiple times, often finding a swimming hole along the way. Father Joe took groups of kids skiing at Willard Mountain, and transitioned skiing to hiking seasons with a hike up/ski down adventure at West Mountain.

Father Joe also shared his love of the ballet and orchestra by organizing many parish bus trips to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) during the summer. He could often be found enjoying a long walk at the Saratoga Battlefield. Always active in his younger years, Father Joe frequented the YMCA or the local courts, ready for a pickup game in tennis, basketball or racquetball.

“Uncle Joe” was devoted to his family presiding over many baptisms, First Holy Communions and weddings through the years. He is survived by: sister-in-law, Josephine Anselment of Baldwinsville; nephew, Michael (Debbie) Anselment of Baldwinsville; nieces, Patricia Kittles of Springfield, Ohio, Nancy (Michael) Bradshaw of Saratoga Springs, and Sandra (John) Horn of Westwood, Mass. He is also survived by nine grandnieces and nephews: James, Kelby, Brittany, Alexander, Sienna, Corbin, Julia, Addison and Owen, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his beloved brother, Al Anselment.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on April 29 at Our Lady of the Assumption in Latham. Interment and Rite of Committal followed at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Watervliet.

Please remember Father Anselment and his family in your prayers. May God welcome him into the Kingdom of Heaven and grant him an eternal reward for his 63 years of dedicated priestly service.

Memorial donations in his name may be made to Mary’s Haven, 35 New St., Saratoga Springs, N.Y., 12866.