J. Hockersmith

J. Lee Hockersmith passed away Friday evening. He was born Sunday, August 9, 1931, to Bruce W. and Fredyth (Swartz) Hockersmith in Shippensburg PA. Although named Joseph, he was known as Lee throughout his life.

Lee was a lifelong member of Christ United Methodist Church in Shippensburg along with many generations of his family. He faithfully attended until the COVID outbreak.

He attended Shippensburg schools and was a member of the class of 1949. He attended Shippensburg State Teachers College, interrupting his education to serve in the Korean Conflict. Lee left the army with the rank of Sargeant 1st Class. Continuing his education, after his return from the army, Lee graduated and was hired by the Shippensburg Area School District as an elementary teacher. Lee taught at West End, Central, Orrstown, and James Burd elementary schools. He completed his master’s degree at Shippensburg and received a principal’s certificate from Western Maryland. Lee retired from the school district as an assistant principal in charge of the elementary schools.

During Lee’s tenure as a teacher, he worked many summers and falls cleaning furnaces for his uncle, R. Lee Hockersmith. After his retirement he worked at True Value.

Community service was instilled in Lee, and he became a councilman for Shippensburg in 1962 and eventually President of the board. Elected in 1974, he served one term as mayor of Shippensburg. After being mayor, he continued to serve on the Zoning Hearing board. He was a member of the CV Hose House, serving as a volunteer fire fighter, ambulance driver and serving as president in 1956. Lee was a member of the VFW, American Legion and Hub City Club.

He was a lifelong liberal democrat and was very proud of this.

Lee loved sports and participated in football and baseball during high school. Throughout his life he always rooted for the Eagles and Phillies and any team that played against Penn State. As a father, he coached his sons who played on the Cubs Little League baseball team and enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren participate in sports.

One of his greatest joys in his life after his family, was his home at 129 W. King St. Lee was raised there and was able to purchase it after he started teaching. He and his late wife, Anne, spent many hours renovating the house and working in the yard. Life after retirement was spent making boxes, framing pictures, and putting together furniture kits with Anne’s help. Later in life he would have coffee with his cronies at Hardees and later McDonald’s and Sheetz, discussing town and world events.

Lee is survived his children, and their spouses: B. Randall and Kristi; Joseph L. and Kathe; Carol H. and Angelo Tsambiras; Timothy E. and Lynn; and Joan H. Pipan.

He is also survived by grandchildren, their spouses, and great grandchildren: Lindy Speakman (Ron) daughter Addison. Joseph (Jane) sons Charlie, Andrew, and Jack; Nathan (Tiffany Shoop); Erin Hockersmith. Daniel (Stevie) sons Cooper and Finley and John (Emily) children Isla, Thaddeus, Beatrix, and Harlow. Breanna and Timothy. Bernie and Cy (Cayla). Lee is also survived by his sister Norma (the late Glenn) Karper and brother Bruce (Janice). Many nieces and nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by his parents, his sister, June (Harry) Martin and brother, John Allan (Donna). Also, Lee was predeceased by his son, Daniel Boyd Hockersmith and son-in-law, Bernard Pipan.

Lee died a month and a day after his beloved wife, Anne, with whom he spent over seventy years of his life. We are sure that their reunion in heaven, along with his loved ones will be a joyous one

A celebration of Lee’s life will be held Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at Christ United Methodist Church, 47 E. King St. Shippensburg, beginning at 11:30 AM. Bruce Levy will officiate. Donations in his memory, may be made to the Shippensburg EMS in appreciation for all their kindness during a very difficult time.