Obituary of Joseph L. Bastarache

May 16, 2018 Joseph Louis Bastarache, Jr., age 76, of Blowing Rock, passed away, Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at Deerfield Ridge. Born September 15, 1942 in New Bedford, MA, he was a son of the late Anna LaBlanc and Joseph Louis Bastarache Sr. After graduating from high school, he joined the Marines and was a military policeman. Joe worked for the Raleigh Police Department for 2 years, and then joined the NC Highway Patrol. Joe retired from the Highway Patrol in 1991. While with the highway patrol, Joe received many certifications and taught at the training center in Raleigh. During Joe�s tenure as a trooper he moved to Blowing Rock, as he had a great love for the mountains. During retirement in Blowing Rock, Joe enjoyed doing many activities with Sarah, his daughter. He also enjoyed many hobbies including beekeeping, woodworking, photography and cooking. Family and friends remember him for sharing his BBQ and homemade peanut brittle. Joe hiked the entire Appalachian Trail and traveled to Canada and Alaska, documenting his trips with photographs. Joe enjoyed many types of wildlife, especially birds and deer. He was a builder of rock walls/many rock walls! Joe was strong in mind and body and he will be missed by many. He is survived by his wife, Gail Daves Bastarache, his beloved daughter, Sarah Bastarache and fianc� Chad Dean, one sister, Rita Robert and husband Leo of State College PA, and a very special nephew and godson, Ed Robert along with several other nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by one brother, Bob. Memorial services for Joe Bastarache will be conducted Saturday, May 19, 2018 at 2 pm at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be Rev. Virginia Peurifoy. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1 pm until 2 pm at the funeral home. The family respectfully requests no food or flowers. Memorials may be made to the Watauga Humane Society, PO Box 1835, Boone, NC 28607 or to May Wildlife Center, PO Box 128, Banner Elk, NC 28605. The family would like to thank the staff and nurses of Medi Home Hospice for their loving compassionate care. Online condolences may be shared with the Bastarache family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Bastarache family.