Obituary of The Very Rev. Joseph E. Anselment, V.F.

THE VERY REV. JOSEPH E. ANSELMENT, V.F.

*Funeral Mass to be livestreamed and may be viewed at olalatham.org/youtube. 

QUEENSBURY - The Very Reverend Fr. Joseph Anselment, V.F. passed to eternal life on April 19th, 2025, Holy Saturday evening. Born November 14th, 1935 in Watervliet, NY, 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, CT, St. Bernards in Rochester, NY, 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.

Fr. Anselment served as Associate Pastor at St. Vincent DePaul in Albany while also serving as a guidance counselor at Cardinal McClosky High School. In 1962, he was assigned as Associate Pastor of St. Mary's in Albany while serving as the Assistant Principal at Cardinal McClosky. In 1968 he was named principal of Bishop Scully High School, Amsterdam until 1974 when he was named Pastor of St. Peter's Stillwater. In 1994 he assumed the Pastorate of Our Lady of Annunciation 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 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 also shared his love of the ballet and orchestra by organizing many parish bus trips to 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, NY; Nephew, Michael (Debbie) Anselment of Baldwinsville, NY; Nieces Patricia Kittles of Springfield, OH, Nancy (Michael) Bradshaw of Saratoga Springs NY, and Sandra (John) Horn of Westwood, MA. 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.

The Reception of the Body will take place on April 28th , 2025 from 3:00 to 6:00 pm at Our Lady of Assumption Church, 498 Watervliet Shaker Rd., Latham. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated the following day, April 29th , 2025, 10:00 am also at Our Lady of the Assumption in Latham. Interment and Rite of Committal will immediately follow at St. Patrick's Cemetery, Watervliet.

Please remember Fr. 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.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Mary's Haven, 35 New St., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

Arrangements have been entrusted to The Dufresne & Cavanaugh Funeral Home, Latham. For further information or to leave a condolence message please visit www.dufresneandcavanaugh.com.