Joseph J. Keslo, Jr.

Joseph J. Keslo Jr., 85 died Saturday, Nov. 14, at his home in Manchester. Mr. Keslo was born in Franklin and had resided in Ogdensburg and Franklin for most of his life moving to Manchester 5 years ago.

Mr. Keslo was the owner of Joseph Keslo Painting & Wallpapering and was also the former owner of the Ogden Inn in Ogdensburg. He was a life member of the Ogdensburg Fire Dept. having served as chief from 1959-60. Mr. Keslo was also a past mayor and tax assessor for the borough of Ogdensburg.

Mr. Keslo formerly served on the Board of Chosen Freeholders for Sussex County, as well as the Sussex County Board of Elections and Board of Taxation.

As U.S. Army Sgt. First Class, Mr. Keslo was a veteran of the Korean War and was the recipient of 2 Bronze Stars (Korean Service Medals), United Nations Service Medal and 2 combat infantry badges. He was a member of the Lt. Robert A. Madden VFW Post No. 10152 of Ogdensburg and Sgt. Francis M. Glynn American Legion Post No. 132 of Franklin.

Mr. Keslo was the Chairman of the Joe Keslo Charity Golf Outing which was sponsored by Sussex Bank. He had a love for serving other people and enjoyed spending time with family at the beach. He also enjoyed golf, travelling, word search books, coin collecting and the magic of Christmas.

Mr. Keslo was predeceased by his parents, Joseph J. Keslo, Sr. and Frieda Sporina; daughters, Nancy Keslo Gleason and Susan Keslo; sister, Shirley Hardy and stepson, Jason Herman. He is survived by his wife, Catherine Keslo; daughters, JoAnn Banki of Franklin. Christina Bentrewicz and her husband, Rich, of Cranford and Jessica Manfro of Carmel, N.Y.; brother, Richard Keslo and his wife, Kathy, of Ogdensburg and grandchildren, Daniel Banki and his wife, Nicole, Gregory Banki, Brittany Manfro, Alyssa Manfro, Ashlyn Manfro, Brooke Bentrewicz and Andrew Bentrewicz.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015, at 10 a.m. at Immaculate Conception RC Church 75 Church St., Franklin. Private cremation will follow. Friends may call at F. John Ramsey Funeral Home, 1 Main St. Franklin, on Wednesday from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice 99 Sparta Ave. Newton, NJ 07860. For online condolences and directions, please see www.fjohnramseyfuneralhome.com.