Friday, October 2, 2026
Joseph “Joe” Gunther, of Valley Stream, died on Dec. 24. He was 92.
Gunther was born on July 30, 1923 in Jamaica, Queens. In 1925, Gunther’s parents, Edward and Anna, moved to West Valley Stream Boulevard. There, Edward built a two-story colonial home, which became the first residential permit of the Incorporated Village. Gunther and his four siblings, Edward Jr., John, Robert, and Virginia, were all raised in the Valley Stream home.
Gunther attended the Clear Stream Avenue School, where he enjoyed playing sandlot games and visiting Curtis Airport on Sundays. While attending Valley Stream Central High School, Gunther was influenced by the school’s shop teacher, Ken Darling, and often spoke fondly of other teachers, such as John Smith and Art Fare.
A trombone player and music lover, Gunther was a member of the Central High School Concert Orchestra and Dance Band, and graduated from the high school in 1942.
In 1943, Gunther enlisted in the Air Force and served for three years. Stationed in the Midwest, he armored and processed B-17 “flying fortress” planes headed overseas, prepping them with bomb racks and gun turrets. During his time in the Midwest, Gunther played the trombone in the barracks. He returned to Valley Stream after the war and worked for the aircraft plant Curtiss Field and then later joined the carpenter’s union to work as an apprentice.
In 1946, Gunther met his wife, Florence Marion Wuerfel, at the Damien Club at Holy Name of Mary Church. They married on May 21, 1949. Following in his father’s footsteps, Gunther built a two-story home on Benedict Avenue to raise his two daughters.In 1974 Gunther rekindled his love for playing the trombone when he joined the Blessed Sacrament Church’s small concert band. He later started a band called “The Dixie Downbeats,” and joined “The Golden Tones” after his retirement.
Gunther is survived by his daughters, Diane (m. Phil Wood) and Linda (m. Gary Forthofer); his grandchildren: Casey; Shawn; Michael; Carrie; and Rebecca; and his great-grandchildren: Doniella; Riley; Angelo; Patrick; Anthony; and Vida.
