Joseph Blewett

Joseph W. Blewett, of Quakertown, died Sat. July 26, 2014, after a lengthy illness. He was 91. Joe was born in Reading on Aug. 16, 1922, son of the late Leah (Witmoyer) and John Harvey Blewett. He was a graduate of Reading High School and of West Chester University, where he met future wife Norma Mitzel in the college orchestra. Joe and Norma were married nearly 62 years until her death in May 2013. Joe served his country in the Army Air Corps during World War II, attaining the rank of Sergeant. He was stationed in India and was active for many years in the China-Burma-India Veterans Association. Joe was a music teacher in the Quakertown Community School District for 28 years, serving as Band Director at Quakertown High School and later at Milford Middle School. He inspired a love of music for generations and was largely responsible for starting the tradition of great music programs in the Quakertown schools, which continues to this day. He retired from teaching in 1982. Joe joined the Quakertown Band as principal oboist in 1955 and was "the heart and soul" of the Band until his retirement from performing in 2010. He served as the band's Director from 1975 until 1994. He also performed with the Ringgold Band, the Ambler Symphony, the North Penn Symphony, and the Providence Chamber Orchestra. He served as teacher and mentor to several outstanding oboe students as well. He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Quakertown. In addition to his wife, Joe was preceded in death by a brother, Richard Harvey Blewett. Survivors: son, Ray Thomas (Thomas Blewett) and his wife, Gayle, of Carlisle; daughter, Lynn Hasson and her husband, Mark, of Quakertown; grandchildren, Laurie Ricketts and her husband Steven, Thomas Hasson, and Katie Thomas; and great-grandchildren, Makayla and Weston. A viewing will be held Thurs. evening, July 31, from 6 - 8 pm at the Jeffrey A. Naugle Funeral and Cremation Service, 135 W. Pumping Station Rd., Quakertown. Services will be held Friday, Aug. 1, at 11:00 am at St. John's Lutheran Church, 19 S. 10th St., Quakertown, with a calling hour from 10 am until the service. Interment will be in the Union Cemetery, Quakertown. Contributions in Joe's memory may be made to: The Quakertown Band, 112 N. Hellertown Ave., Quakertown, PA 18951 or to St. John's Lutheran Church, P. O. Box 979, Quakertown, PA 18951.