Joseph N. “Joe” Tansey

September 20, 2014

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Joseph N. “Joe” Tansey, 80, of Indianapolis, IN, and a former Frankfort resident, died September 20, 2014 in Franklin, IN. Born April 26, 1934 in Frankfort, IN to the late Horace & Martha (Davis) Tansey. Mr. Tansey was a 1952 graduate of Frankfort High School, a 1956 graduate of Indiana University and in 1958 received a Masters degree in education. He taught math at Warren Central High School for 34 years and following his retirement he worked at the Indianapolis Zoo for 20 years. Joe was an avid photographer and enjoyed animals, gardening, genealogy and computers. He would conduct webinars, teaching how to use different computer programs.

Visitation and Services

Graveside service will be 2 p.m. Thursday, September 25, 2014 at St. Paul Cemetery, rural Michigantown (corner of county road 400 N & 1100 E). Memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society of Indianapolis, 7929 N. Michigan Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268.

Survived by:

Sister: Jane Sanders-Stradtman of Shelbyville, 2 Nieces: Anne (Roger) Thurston of Shelbyville, Linda (Jeff Wagoner) Sanders of Shelbyville, Nephew: D.L. (Melissa McDaniel) Sanders of Shelbyville, 2 Great Nephews: Aaron Sanders of Shelbyville, Will (Megan) Thurston of Oceanside, CA, Great Niece: Reba (Troy) Kennard of Shelbyville, 2 Great Great Nieces: Alexis Thurston of Oceanside, CA, Maddie Kennard of Shelbyville and Great Great Nephew: Kyle Kennard of Shelbyville.

Condolences

14 Condolences for “Joseph N. “Joe” Tansey”

  1. Lawrence and Audrey Sanders September 21, 2014 at 2:29 am

    Aunt Jane;
    Please accept Audrey’s and my condolences at the passing of your Brother Joe.
    We have lost an educated man that served society nobly and productively.

    Humbly

    Larry and Audrey

  2. Linda Eck September 21, 2014 at 11:12 am

    ” I cannot see him but I know he is there. He’s my guardian angel; my life with me he shares. Until my time is over and God wants to bring me home, he will be there to protect me when things sometimes go wrong.” by Dana Roverts Clark
    I’m so sorry to hear of his passing. May God watch over all of you.

  3. Erica Snyder September 21, 2014 at 11:21 am

    I worked with Joe at the zoo from 2000-2004. He was the one who trained me and taught me so much. He was a wonderful man. He didn’t know a stranger and was loving to everyone he met. He will be missed, as he was always a staple at the zoo. He was a wonderful photographer and was fun to be around. He will be missed!

  4. Jeanette Branly September 21, 2014 at 6:16 pm

    I also know Joe from the Indianapolis Zoo. I learned so much from him. His kindness was contagious. I remember that where Joe was his camera was and he took some of the most amazing photos. My kids know him as the cool guy who was always there when they came to visit and of course the guy who knew EVERYTHING and would NOT allow them to pick the flowers! He was that special kind of person who impacted lives and will forever be missed.

  5. Gary Brownfield September 22, 2014 at 12:41 am

    Joe was my geometry teacher at Warren where he inspired me to eventually go to college and study engineering. Later in life we became close friends and have kept in contact all of my adult life. In addition, he spent many hours with me helping me prepare for my graduate school exams. We spent many many wonderful times together. God Bless you, Joe! You will be greatly missed.

  6. Sally Brancheau Belknap September 22, 2014 at 11:26 am

    To the family of Mr. Tansey:

    Such a nice man and a good teacher! I barely passed Geometry 2 at Warren Central, but I wouldn’t have passed at all without Mr. Tansey’s help! Mr. Tansey was very memorable. I graduated in 1981, but the mention of his name brings his voice and face to the fore – and very clearly. My most sincere condolences to you all.

    Sally Brancheau Belknap
    Warren Central HS Class of 1981
    Indianapolis, IN

  7. Nancye Rahn September 22, 2014 at 1:46 pm

    Please accept my condolences on your loss. I worked with Joe at the Zoo in 2003 and we kept in touch over the years. I always enjoyed the email cards he would put together. Joe could always make me laugh and taught me so much. He will be missed.

  8. Kathy Cookerly September 23, 2014 at 1:16 pm

    I’m so sorry to learn of Joe’s passing. I, too, worked with him here at the Zoo! I still have a photo of his at my desk! I loved his voice and his love of the animals we all hold so dear. My sympathy to his family.

  9. John Palmer September 23, 2014 at 9:14 pm

    I had Mr Tansey for Physics at Warren Central.He was always one of my favorite teachers. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. Our condolences to the family.
    John Palmer
    Class of 1972

  10. Claudie Hudson September 24, 2014 at 12:07 am

    Joe was my best e-mail buddy. For years, he had shared his photography, his family photos, family history, etc. We had so much in common. I will miss seeing what he has sent me each day. He will forever live in my heart. Jane, Anne, Linda and all Joe’s family, I am so sorry for your loss and want you all to know that I am grieving with you at this time. May God be with you all at this sad time. God bless.

  11. John Forde September 24, 2014 at 4:05 pm

    I met Joe while working at the Indianapolis Zoo. Joe was a wonderful outgoing guy who was always willing to help others. He and I shared a love of photography and computers. Joe had an amazing eye and natural talent for photography. May he be at peace in the Summerlands. He will be missed.
    John

  12. Richard Pollett September 30, 2014 at 7:34 pm

    I read of Joe passing some time ago but was unable to find out any details. Joe was a year ahead of me in high school and I knew his family.
    I’m sure that he is missed by family and friends.

  13. Janis Gaerte October 19, 2014 at 1:49 pm

    I was saddened to hear of Joe’s passing. I taught math with him at Warren. When I joined the department in 1980, Joe was instrumental in making me not only feel welcome but in sharing some of his techniques and materials for teaching geometry. As a new teacher, his help was invaluable.

    My heartfelt condolences to his family.
    Janis Gaerte

  14. Lois Haupt November 4, 2014 at 9:29 pm

    I am beyond feelings. Joe was my Guru – and most of all, my friend. Met Joe at the Zoo many years ago – and he was such a help that if it were not for him my computer would have been out the window in a New York minute! I was in FL at the time of his death and only today did I find out – I am so sorry for you, the family and ME. I feel I know all of your from the many pictures he shared. Where is he buried? I want to visit his grave to say my goodbye.

    Lois Haupt

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