Joseph G. Esteves

Joseph G. Esteves, 90, of Thornwood, NY, passed away peacefully on December 19, 2025. He was born on May 6, 1935, in Minho, Portugal, to the late Luis and Alzira Esteves.

Joe immigrated to the United States with his father in 1949 where he built a life through hard work and dedication as a very skilled carpenter. He later started a successful home construction business.

In high school he met and later married the love of his life Joan Hammel. They had four beautiful sons together. They enjoyed over 40 years of marriage before she passed away too soon in 1999. Several years after Joan passed, he met Viola Lukacs, with whom he was in a loving relationship right up until his passing.

Joe was a veteran who served in the United States Army and Army Reserve, from 1958 until his Honorable Discharge in 1964.

He was an accomplished golfer who enjoyed spending time with his buddies at Knollwood Country Club where he was club champion several times. He also enjoyed bowling and once bowled a 299 game.

Joe was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He is predeceased by his wife Joan, his sister Urbana Veloso, who also immigrated to the US, and several sisters who remained in Portugal.

He is survived by his four sons, Richard and wife Anna of Pleasantville, NY, David and wife Sherry of Mullica Hill, NJ, Michael and long-time partner Stacy of Mahopac, NY and Joey and wife Lori of Leeds, NY; his grandchildren Ricky (Stacy), Michael, Jessica (Michael), Matthew, Emma, Alyssa, Zach and Mark; his great-grandchildren Luca and Noa; many cousins, nieces and nephews; and his partner of many years Viola Lukacs.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 27 (10:00 am-12:00 pm) at Ballard-Durand Funeral Home, 21 West Stevens Avenue, Hawthorne, NY.

Entombment will be at the Chapel at Our Lady Queen of Peace Mausoleum at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 10 West Stevens Avenue, Hawthorne, NY, on Tuesday, December 30 at 11:30 am.