Joseph Stote

Joseph Wayne Stote, 59, of Kingston, NY passed away March 23, 2024 of cancer. Joe was predeceased by his parents John G. and Harriet Stote. Born January 24, 1965 in Kingston, Joe was a 1983 graduate of Kingston High School and a 1987 graduate of Davis & Elkins College with a degree in marketing and a minor in management.

A curriculum vitae cannot begin to describe the incredible life Joe had. From a very young age Joe's talent as a musician was apparent. He learned to play the drums with his godfather, local legendary band leader Buster Ferraro and was greatly influenced and encouraged by his close friend Mark Ferraro. As a child he would sit in on the drums in Buster's Big Band concerts at Academy Green. Over the years Joe played drums, percussion, keyboards and guitar with Dusty Roads, Trial & Error, the Mannikenz, Scratch Baxter, the Hybrids, Shooky Bones, Mischievous Jim and Peacebomb. Joe was the office manager at The Chance in 1989-1990 working under Kenny Kohberger and Dan Parise. He performed with Peacebomb at the Woodstock '94 Festival to great acclaim. In the 2000's he joined Metal Blade band Three (3) and toured North America, Japan, Europe and Australia.

Joe was also a talented multi-media artist exhibiting his paintings, ceramics, and outdoor installations at Byrdcliffe and other local galleries. Joe was a friend to all and one of the kindest, most compassionate people you'd meet. His honesty and moral core were unimpeachable. Joe had a deep and abiding love for the Catskills, fishing, gardening, the Grateful Dead and travel, especially St. John (USVI) and Italy.

His greatest joy and accomplishment was his wonderful son Sebastian who was his best friend. He is survived by his loving wife Valerie and son Sebastian as well as his sister Denise Stote DeCesare and her husband Jay, nieces and nephews, Matt, Dylan and MinJee DeCesare, and Matt and Carly Stote. He is survived on his wife's side by his brothers-in-law Henry Paul, Tarquin York (TY) Woods and Michael Paul and sisters-in-law Shelly Paul, Helen Paul Sharpe and Victoria Paul.

Arrangements entrusted to Keyser Funeral & Cremation Service, Inc., 326 Albany Avenue, Kingston, NY 12401. Burial will be private but a wild, music-filled party is planned celebrate Joe's life ("If you dance real hard, you'll see God"). A tribute for Joseph may be found at www.KeyserFuneralService.com, where you may leave memories and expressions of sympathy for his family.