Joseph James Mosa, 96, of the Weatogue section of Simsbury, CT, beloved husband of Jean (Seymour) Mosa died Thursday, December 5, 2024, at his home. He was born March 5, 1928, in Somerville, MA, the son of the late Joseph Anthony Mosa and Frances Mosa, and had lived in Weatogue for over 60 years. Joe was a veteran of the U.S. Army having served in the Korean War.
Joe graduated from Kansas State University with a Master’s degree in Education. He was a teacher, coach, and Athletic Director at Conard High School for the town of West Hartford until his retirement in 1995. Joe was also a member of the Geritol Swingers golf group at Simsbury Farms Golf Course. Most of all Joe had passion for his family.
The Butternut Patrol gathered with family and friends to share stories and celebrate Joe Mosa’s life, a man whose passion for skiing and unwavering dedication to ski patrol defined his journey. He lived a life filled with purpose, where the safety of others was paramount. His ultimate goal was always to teach, demonstrate, and acknowledge his team called the Butternut Ski Patrol.
Joe had a lifelong passion for skiing. He joined the ski patrol in 1966. rising to become the patrol director at Ski Butternut in Great Barrington, MA. During his 35 years of patrolling, he achieved his senior patroller status and took courses in Avalanche and Mountain Travel and Rescue. In 1975 he was awarded National Appointment #4727 and in 2002 a Distinguished Service Award. After retiring from active patrolling, he joined the National Ski Patrol’s Alumni Association running an annual alumni event hosted at Butternut. He was invited to join the Dinosaurs, an invitation-only group of retired ski patrol leaders that gathers annually to tell tall tales and reminisce. He continued skiing until his death, always stopping to say hi in the patrol room.
In addition to his wife of 70 years, he is survived by his daughter Deborah Mosa and her husband John Connors of Northport, NY, his daughter Leslie Pelzar and her husband Chris of Simsbury, CT, his granddaughter Lindsay and her husband Michael of Scituate, MA, and his precious great-granddaughter and playmate Taylor Margaret. Joe is also survived by his brother Anthony Mosa of Essex, CT, his sister Marion Kerrigan of Franklin, MA, and many wonderful nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations may be made to Butternut Ski Patrol, 380 State Road, Great Barrington, MA 01230 or butternut.myskipatrol.org.