Chief Joseph V Elgeiser

Chief Joseph V. Elgeiser(Ret.)

Troy, NY and Port St. Lucie Florida- Chief Joseph V. Elgeiser, retired Chief of Staff of the Troy Police Department, a resident of Troy and Port St. Lucie Florida, died suddenly Wednesday September 1, 2004, at St. Mary's Hospital in Troy.

Born in Manhattan, he was the son of the late Joseph F. and Pasqueline (Altieri) Elgeiser.

Chief Elgeiser was a graduate of Troy High School; he also attended Hudson Valley Community College.

Chief Elgeiser was appointed to the Troy Police in March of 1953 and retired from the City of Troy Police Department after 41 years of distinguished service in August 1994. During his rise through the ranks Chief Elgeiser served as a Uniformed Motorcycle Officer, a Detective, a Sergeant, a Captain, Chief of the Narcotics Unit and Chief of Detectives. He gave the last twenty-one years of his service as Chief of Staff. Chief Elgeiser will be remembered as a lifelong public servant, dedicated to making Troy a safer place to live and work.

He was also a decorated veteran of World War II, serving in the United States Navy.

Chief Elgeiser was a member of the Troy Police softball team, the Troy High and Troy Bulldogs football team and played basketball for Saint Peters School. He was also an avid boxing fan.

Chief Elgeiser was a co-founder and the First Exalted Ruler of the Brunswick Elks Lodge and a life member of the Northeastern Chiefs of Police Conference of the State of New York. He was also a longtime member of the GRUMPS Club, a benevolent organization of law enforcement officers. He also belonged to the International Narcotic Enforcement Officers Association.

He was a communicant of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Troy.

Survivors include his wife Catherine (Devery) Elgeiser; his son Troy Police Officer Joseph V. Elgeiser Jr. (Linda) of Brunswick; his daughter Patrice A. Ward (Tod) of Brunswick; his grandsons Joseph V. Elgeiser III ,Timothy J. and Jamie P. Ward, and his granddaughter Gabrielle A. Ward. He is also survived by his sister Molly E. Cahill of Troy, and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be held Saturday at 9:00 AM at the Bryce Funeral Home Inc. 276 Pawling Avenue Troy and at 9:30 AM at Sacred Heart Church Troy where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated.

Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home Friday from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Interment St. Mary's Cemetery Mausoleum, in Troy.

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