Joseph Stallard "Stal" Waterhouse

Joseph Stallard ‘Stal’ Waterhouse (age 92), formerly of Club Road, Plattsburgh, NY, died at Meadowbrook HealthCare on 7 October 2021 with his family by his side. He struggled with a series of illnesses over the last 3 years.

Stal was born in Toronto, Canada, son of the late Joseph Bertical Waterhouse and Doris Elizabeth (Stallard) Waterhouse. He grew up in Newmarket, Ontario.

He received a BS in Agriculture from Ontario Agricultural College in Guelph, Ontario. During college, Stal spent four months on Herschel Island on the Beaufort Sea off the Yukon Territory, collecting insects for the Canadian government.

Stal obtained his PhD from Washington State University. He started his teaching career at Plattsburgh State University in 1960. His primary course of instruction for 36 years was Human Anatomy and Physiology. He was a firm believer that a nurse was the most important source of information and comfort when one was sick, and he stressed how critical knowledge of anatomy and physiology was to understanding illness. Stal retired in 1996.

Stal was very active in Sigma Xi, a scientific research society, in which he held positions as Chairman and Northeastern Regional Director. During his career, he was also a Temporary Chair of the Biology Department, Chairman and Regional Director for the American Heart Association, President of the United University Professions at PSUC (UUP), as well as Warden of Trinity Church.

Stal enjoyed tending to flower gardens and took great pride in having a nice lawn, even when he moved into a condo. He enjoyed reading, tennis, hockey, downhill skiing, and golf. His later years were consumed with golf as he and his wife, Lisa, spent winters in Florida. When not in Florida, he enjoyed spending time with his children. They brought him tremendous joy, each child touching him in different ways.

In his retirement years he also enjoyed working out at the gym, riding his bike, listening to piano music, and writing. Stal could be found almost every day at his desk where he wrote monthly health articles for a local publication for many years, numerous letters to the Editor, and his memoirs. Few people in Stal’s life were given the privilege of reading the beautiful poems he penned over his lifetime. His best poetry expressed on paper what he found difficult to express verbally. They were written about the love he felt for nature, his children, his dog, Holly, and especially for his wife, Lisa. She always knew there would be a tear to shed when he handed her a poem as a gift for any holiday they shared.

Stal is survived by his wife of 31 years, Lisa (Deruchia-Jolly). Family and friends would agree they shared a loving and unique relationship. Friendship, an abundance of humor, and mutual respect complimented a deep love that was evident in their daily expressions. Lisa liked to quote Dr. Seuss to Stal, “You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.”

He is also survived by his first wife, Verda (Nichols), mother of his first three children; his children Karen Salka (husband Thomas), Joseph Adam (wife Denise), John David (partner Melanie), and Samantha (partner Christine); his grandchildren Jacob (partner Laura), Joseph Cameron (wife Danielle), Kathryn (husband Johnny), and Matthew; and great-grandchildren Lennon and Cameron. He is predeceased by his parents and sister Nancy Jo Hersch.

According to his wishes, there will be no formal calling hours or funeral. Rather, Stal wanted his family, friends and well-wishers to enjoy a Celebration of Life so they can poke fun, share stories, laughter and pictures, and enjoy food and drink. The family hopes to schedule such a gathering in the late spring, pending this dreaded COVID pandemic.

Donations in Stal’s memory may be made to the American Heart Association.

Ashes will be interred in the family plot in Newmarket Cemetery at the family’s convenience. Arrangements are entrusted to Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh, NY. To share a memory, thought, or prayer, visit www.brownfuneralhomeinc.com.