Joseph Frank Kiaunis was born May 12, 1942 in Amsterdam, New York, the eldest child of Ella and Joseph Kiaunis. He died October 7, 2021 at his home after a brief illness. He was 79. Joe graduated from Perth Central High School in 1960, and after a short time studying engineering at Broom County Community College, he joined the United States Air Force, most of his four years spent in Abilene, Texas. Joe returned to Amsterdam after completing his enlistment and worked as a machinist, becoming president of the local 1761 Textile Workers Union of America before becoming a truck driver for the Golub Corporation in the mid-60s, retiring in 1999. He purchased a mobile Wood Mizer sawmill and spent the next twenty years building a custom lumber business. In 2018, he came off the road and continued providing lumber to his many local customers with the sawmill, "Agnes," parked on his property in West Galway. Joe married Joan Frenyea in 1962 with whom he had three children and Susan Brandon Long in 1974, adopting her three children. He and Susan had two more children, raising all five children in their home in West Galway. After Susan died, Joe planned on spending the rest of his life alone. But God had a different plan and brought Cheryl Weavers Stacey into the autumn season of his life. Joe and Cheryl were married September 22, 2018. Joe is survived by his wife, Cheryl; a brother, Theodore Kiaunis of Branford, Connecticut; two sisters, Virginia McGuire of Mooresboro, North Carolina and Cheryl Rohling of Fultonville, New York; three sons: Edward Kiaunis of Chesapeake, Virginia; Joseph F. Kiaunis, Jr (Karen) of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee; and Aaron Kiaunis (Sunshine) of Milton, Florida; five daughters: Lea Guisti (Dennis) of Clifton Park, New York; Tonya Dlugas (Gary) of Amsterdam, New York; Kimberly Surento of Amsterdam, New York; Kathryn Brown (Barry) of Morrisonville, New York; and Margaret Langan of Franklin, Tennessee; 17 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Joe is remembered as a good friend of many, a hard worker, and especially a man of great faith and trust in God. He has been a longtime and faithful member of Adirondack Baptist Church in Gloversville, New York. In 2020, he published What Am I Doing Here? Finding My Purpose as a Child of God, the result of a long-time Biblical study of God and the purpose He wants each of us to know. Joe fulfilled his purpose and finished his course on this earth, entering into glory to hear the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant." A celebration of life will be held Friday, October 15, 2021 at Adirondack Baptist Church with visitation from 12 Noon to 1:45pm and a service to follow in the church at 2:00pm. Burial will be in West Galway Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Joe may be made to Ensley FBC at 50 West Johnson Ave, Pensacola, Florida 32534 to be used in the churchs homeless ministries or to Adirondack Baptist missions fund. Adirondack Baptist is located at 1431 NY 29, Gloversville, NY 12078. To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Joseph Frank Kiaunis, Sr., please click here to visit our Sympathy Store. Visitation Adirondack Baptist Church Friday, October 15, 2021 12:00 PM - 1:45 PM 1431 NY 29 Gloversville, New York 12078 Funeral Service Adirondack Baptist Church Friday, October 15, 2021 2:00 PM 1431 NY 29 Gloversville, New York 12078 Graveside Service West Galway Cemetery Friday, October 15, 2021 3:30 PM County Highway 107 Amsterdam (Town of Perth), New York 12010