Sloat, Joseph E. Jr.

Description

Joseph E. Sloat Jr. was born January 30th, 1918 in Rye, NY to Joseph E. Sloat, his mother, Alice Cullen. He had two brothers Frank and John and a sister Alyce. InRye the family lived at 400 Rye Beach Ave and were members of the Church of the Resurrection.

Joseph went to school at Rye High School, and was a graduate of the class of 1936. In school he was a member of the Messenger Corps, a Cheer Leader, and a member of the Track team. Joseph was Labeled “Class Clown” and “The Noisiest” by his peers. Upon graduation Joseph worked at Whalen Drugstore as a Soda Dispenser. In the last week of March in 1940, Joseph worked 45 hours, and in 1939 he earned $930 ($17,670 in today’s dollars) and worked 52 weeks of the year.

He would maintain his job up until his enlistment into the United States National Guard 31st Fl. Division on June 20th, 1940. He then enlisted into the United States Navy on November 30th, 1940.

SEE DISCHARGE RECORD

Joseph served the people of the United State for 21 years and five months. He had joined the Navy in 1940, and retired as a Chief Warrant Officer W2 in 1961. Following his retirement from the service he began a career with the Federal Aviation Administration from which he retired in August of 1983.

In 1958, he married Stephanie Widmanich to whom he was married for 25 years before her death. He was a lifetime member of the Elks Club Lodge and a VFW member-at-large. Joseph was also a member of the Buffalo Grove Lions Club and Jaycees, as well as an avid golfer, Green Bay Packer fan and Yankee fan.

Joseph E. Sloat Jr. died on January 30th, 1998 in Arlington Heights, IL. He was 80. At the time of his death, he was survived by his daughter, Mary Herseth, and his sons, Allan Sloat and Steven Sloat.

John Melfi
RHS 2021

Sources: 1940 Census, Rye High School 1936 Yearbook, New York National Guard Service Card, Department of Veteran’s Affairs Death File