Joseph Thomas Daher, 86, the son of the late Thomas and Eva (Coury) Daher, of New Bedford passed away April 7, 2011. He was the husband of Alice M. (Dupuis) Daher and they had been married 61 years.
Until his retirement in 1975, he was employed by the U. S. Air Force as a Procurement Officer in Base Supply at Otis Air Force Base. A member of 168th Combat Engineers, he served in the European Theatre of War, landing on Omaha Beach in the Normandy Invasion with General Patton's Army. The Battle of the Bulge found him defending the Village of St. Vith in Belgium at the edge of the Ardennes Forest. The defense of the Village of St. Vith by the 168th was honored by the villagers in 1992 by the erection of a monument, recognizing the sacrifices which were made by the 168th Combat Engineers in the defense of their village. The monument lists all members of the defenders. The Prince of Belgium, also, in recognition of their sacrifices bestowed the Belgium Croix de Guerre to the members of the 168th. At Fort Devens, MA there is another monument dedicated to the memory of the service the 168th gave to their country in World War II. Medals earned by serving also include: Army President Unit Citation, Purple Heart, Good Conduct, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign, with 3 Battle Stars, World War II Victory and the Normandy Commemoration Medal. Memberships include: The American Lebanese Veterans, American Legion Moby Dick Post 459, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 7, and the National Association of Amputee Veterans.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Mary Ann Daher and her husband, Anders of Falmouth. He was father to Charles F. Murray of New Bedford, and grandfather to Garrett and Rachel Boyd of Falmouth. There are many nieces and nephews. He is survived by a brother, Eugene, and sisters, Sophie Daher and Beatrice Howe, all of New Bedford. He was predeceased by brothers, George, Louis, Peter and Thomas Daher, and sisters, Mary A. Watkins, Josephine Roda and Margaret Sylvia.
Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford Monday, April 11th at 9 AM. Divine Liturgy at Our Lady of Purgatory Church at 10 AM. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Sunday, April 10th from 4-6 PM.