Carmen Joseph Nassimos

Madison - Carmen Joseph Nassimos, 82, a lifelong resident of Madison passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 22, 2026 at the Siegenthaler Hospice Center with the love and support of his family at his side, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Known to everybody as Joe, he was born on April 10, 1943 in Utica, NY - the son of the late Joseph Carmen Nassimos and Winifred Dailey Nassimos. He graduated from Madison Central School and Mohawk Valley Community College. Following his graduation, Joe joined his father in the family business - the Co-Op Gas Station in Oriskany Falls. Joe proudly served in the United States Army, being honorably discharged in 1969. Prior to entering the service, Joe married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Kathryn (Kay) Moten, on March 18, 1967. Together they lived in the house right next to Joe’s parents and raised their beautiful children: Joseph, Lance, and Erica. In addition to running the family business, Joe served for 17 years as a Rural Route Postal Carrier, retiring in 2005. Even in “retirement”, Joe was a daily fixture at the gas station. He deeply enjoyed his interactions with everyone that would stop by, treating them all with kindness, respect, and a good laugh. Joe had many passions that kept his life interesting - he had a love for race horses and loved going to Vernon Downs to watch his son Joey race. He and Kay enjoyed many summers at their camp on 7th Lake in Inlet, NY. In the winter months, he and Kay would escape the cold and vacation in the Villages in Florida. Joe introduced Lance to the petroleum business at a young age by having him pump fuel at Co-Op gas - this was the basis for Lance to start Nassimos Fuels, a business Joe was very proud of. Joe also loved his visits to Erica and Kevin’s home in Huntersville, NC to enjoy the pool/hot tub and to watch their boys play baseball. In quieter moments, Joe loved sitting on his front porch taking in the tranquility of Lyons Mills Pond, reading and admiring the beautiful birds that surrounded his home. He was a proud fan of the Buffalo Bills and Syracuse Basketball.  He was a faithful parishioner of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and a member of the Kelley Phillips Legion Post 569 of Oriskany Falls. When hard times fell on friends or family, Joe would always find a way to anonymously help - making sure that everyone had what they needed.  Joe leaves behind a cherished legacy of love, family, love of his community, love of country, and most importantly - love of God. 

He is survived by his loving wife, soulmate and high school sweetheart of 58 years, Kay; devoted children Joseph Nassimos of Madison and girlfriend Kayla Lum; Lance Nassimos and wife Lisa of Madison, and Erica (Nassimos) Baird and husband Kevin of Huntersville, North Carolina; cherished grandchildren Lucas Nassimos, Lindsey Nassimos, Taylor Baird, Tyler Baird and Tanner Baird; precious great grandchildren Kendall and Tatum Nassimos; siblings George (Marylyn) Nassimos, Barbara (Thomas) Peckham, Mary Anne (Annie) Wilmot and Whitney Nassimos; aunt Mary J Nassimos of Utica; brother-in-law Ronald “Ronnie” Bikowsky of Oriskany Falls; Special Godchildren Andrew Wilmot, Michelle Peck, and Alesha Hoffman; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and close friends. Joe was predeceased by his parents Joseph and Winifred, his sister Linda (Nassimos) Bikowsky, cousin John Gazzal, aunt Helen Gazzal and aunt Julia Nassimos. 

A special thank you to the staff at Verona Cancer Center, Wynn Hospital, and Siegenthaler Hospice Center for their wonderful care and compassion. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday January 28, 2026 at 3 pm at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church (229 Main Street, Oriskany Falls) with Pastor John Donovan as celebrant.  Visitation hours will be held prior to Mass from 1-3 pm at the church. Spring interment with Military Honors will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. Following Mass there will be a reception in celebration of Joe’s life at the Kelley Phillips Legion Post 569. Compassionate and personal care is being provided to Joe and his family by Jeffery T. Paul, Director of the Paul Funeral Home of Madison. Please visit paulfuneralhome.net to offer condolences.  

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Madison or Oriskany Falls Fire Department.  Envelopes will be available at the church and celebration of life.