Joseph W. Sherry

    Joseph W. Sherry of Sag Harbor, a veteran of three American military actions, died on Aug. 2. He was 84.

    He was born on Jan. 25, 1927, in Sag Harbor to Joseph J. Sherry and the former Viola F. SanSoucie. Mr. Sherry was raised in Sag Harbor, where he met his wife, the former Leatrice Sherry Schiavoni, who also grew up there. They were married on Dec. 30, 1955, at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Sag Harbor.

    After graduating from Pierson High School, Mr. Sherry joined the Navy. He served in World World II, the Korean War, and Vietnam. After 21 years of service, Mr. Sherry retired from the military, and received disability for exposure to asbestos during his career. This was gained retroactively with help from Representative Tim Bishop, his family said.

    Mr. Sherry was a member of the American Legion and the Stephen Potter DD538 Association, an organization of veterans of one of the nine ships he served on. His son said that the Stephen Potter DD538, which he served on during the Korean War, was one of his father’s favorite ships because the men on that ship were the best he had served with. He also served for three years in Italy under NATO from 1953 to 1956.

    While Mr. Sherry was in the Navy, his family lived in San Diego and New Jersey. In 1969, they moved to Sag Harbor, where Mr. Sherry worked as an electrician.

    According to his son, Mr. Sherry was an eccentric character who was known for wearing neon colored jumpsuits with red and green socks, and a straw hat. He was also an artist with landscape lighting, and was described in House and Garden magazine as “carving shadows in the darkness.”

    Mr. Sherry was predeceased by his wife, and is survived by their four children, Matthew J. Sherry of Sag Harbor, Thomas J. Sherry of St. Petersburg, Fla., Ann Louise Sherry of Hampton Bays, and Jon A. Sherry of Huntington Station, along with four grandchildren.

    A service was held on Friday at St. Andrew’s. Mr. Sherry was buried at St. Andrew’s Cemetery in Sag Harbor.

    The family suggested memorial contributions to the church or to the Stella Maris School, also in Sag Harbor.