Joseph M. Lane, 70, Easton, PA, died peacefully on November 22, 2020. Born in Boston, MA, he was the son of the late Joseph H. and Julia (Flaherty) Lane. Joe was also lovingly raised throughout his teen and young adult years by a second set of parents, the late Sam and Ellie Meyer of Plymouth, MA, becoming part of a family with seven children whom he considered his brothers and sisters. Joe was a graduate of North Quincy High School where he played football as an outstanding “strong safety”. He went on to play defensive back for Lafayette College from 1969 – 1973. Joe received a BA in economics from Lafayette College and an MBA from Lehigh University. In the early part of his career he negotiated contracts worldwide for the Turbo Division of Ingersoll Rand. He then served as Vice President for Enterprise Development at Ben Franklin Technology Partners, retiring in 2016. While there, he also mentored many Lafayette College students interested in entrepreneurship. Joe will be remembered for his love for telling stories, his sense of humor, an obsession for being current with news events, and as a friend to neighbors on College Hill where he resided. He maintained a passion for all things Lafayette College and football. You may have seen him cycling up and down the hills training for his overseas biking excursions, or walking through the neighborhood, a dog always by his side.
Joe was preceded in death by his brother Tom Lane of Montgomery, TX. He is survived by a niece, Courtney Lane Grube of Montgomery, TX, and a nephew, Ryan Lane of Houston, TX.
Memorials may be directed to Safe Harbor, Lafayette College Friends of Football Annual Scholarship Fund, or the Easton Area Neighborhood Center. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.
Evelyn Leon
November 30, 2020 at 9:43 am
Eternal rest be granted onto Joe, oh Lord, as Your perpetual Light shines upon him,with Your saints forever, for You are merciful. I am thankful for many fond memories. My sincerest condolences to Joe’s family and friends. Peace be with you.
Br. Frederick (Rick) Bond, STG
November 30, 2020 at 12:36 pm
Prayers…may Joe now rest in peace as we pray for all his loved ones.. one day at a time.
Ted Y Nickel
November 30, 2020 at 7:45 pm
I worked for Joe at Ben Franklin for seven years. Joe was a true gentleman, a kind and helpful person who will be missed by all who knew him. Peace be with you.
Bob Nurko
December 1, 2020 at 9:51 am
Worked with Joe at Ingersoll- Rand – Rest in Peace !
Ed DiSalvo
December 1, 2020 at 10:56 am
So sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. He was a great teammate and fraternity brother and someone who could always be counted on to lift your spirit. My condolences to his family and friends as mourn his passing. He made us all stronger.
Art Scott
December 1, 2020 at 11:45 am
Very sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. I have many fond memories of early morning racquetball matches and debates about Lafayette football. Joe was a fierce competitor and overall good guy. He will be missed.
David Larned
December 1, 2020 at 12:09 pm
Joe was a tough guy to get to know. He kept close counsel. I was happy to see him a year ago in Maryland where we spent a meaningful few hours of lively discussion. He was grateful for his education at Lafayette. He was a fraternity brother and I had the good fortune to play on the freshman football team him. Rest in peace my friend.
Tom Stine
December 1, 2020 at 2:39 pm
After my family moved to the Lehigh Valley in ’98, I became involved with Ben Franklin Tech Partners of NE PA. Joe was one of the first people I met. He was passionate about Ben’s mission and took personal pride in his entrepreneurs. Way more than a business level passion. He treated the portfolio’s CEOs and teams with tough love, respect and high expectations….never passing on an opportunity to make a connection or intro anywhere/anytime. Always building. Always supporting. Always fun and Always immensely proud of his flock. Thoughtful, generous, hardworking and a wicked sense of humor. Years ago, I happened to share my concerns with Joe about my then lost and troubled nephew. Joe reflexively offered to enlist my nephew in yard work/chores, odd jobs. He hadn’t forgotten his own tough childhood and always seemed eager to help anyone looking for a leg up. As an entrepreneur in residence and as a Board member Joe was one of the first BFTP people I met. For decades, he was an advocate, believer, and coach form many dreamers long since successful. This region’s entire early stage technology community laments in his passing.
I will miss you Joe. You were one of the real good guys.
Judith Ann Dreisbach
December 1, 2020 at 3:28 pm
To me Joe was a Wonderful person to work with at BFTP he always had a Smile on his face and you could talk to him about anything work, family and about his trips he always had time to listen. I am so Sad to hear of his passing and Joe know that I will keep you in my Prayers.
My Deepest Sympathy & Prayers+ goes out to his family. May his Soul Rest in Peace ~~ May God Hold You In The Hollow of His Hand my friend.
Stan Johnson
December 4, 2020 at 2:10 pm
So sorry to learn about Joe’s passing on. I had not seen Joe for many years but have never forgotten what a great person Joe was. He was an excellent defensive back for 4 years at Lafayette and a fraternity brother. I will always cherish the memories of playing in the same defensive backfield with Joe as a freshman and then assisting the team as student manager for 3 years. Joe always, always gave 100% on every play, especially when matched up against a bigger receiver. He was a ferocious hitter and forced the edge on running plays like a man twice his size. My condolences to his friends and family. What a great guy!
Christopher Jones
December 7, 2020 at 9:51 pm
I was saddened to learn of Joe’s passing. I worked with him for 12 years at Ben Franklin and during a troubling time for me personally, he provided me with an overflowing amount emotional strength and support. My fondest recollection was a mid-summer trip to Rauch Field House for some noontime basketball in searing heat….after showers and the trip back into the steamy heat and humidity and the drive back to the office he commented “Geez Chris…our ties have become wicks!”
Others have noted his hard-working tenacious nature and drive, thoughtfulness and generosity….Hear! Hear! I say to those observations. Our world needs more folks like Joe. God bless and keep your soul my friend!
Erich Schneeberger
February 17, 2021 at 1:17 pm
I sadly learned about Joe’s passing away early February 2021 after many times trying to reach him since September 2020.
I met Joe in 1977 when I joined the Turbo Division of Ingersoll Rand Co. in Phillipsburg NJ.
Joe was in the Legal Offices employed as Contract Administrator and I was engaged as a Project Manager. We had very interesting, challenging professional times by doing business trips to Mexico, Spain and other places. Joe was always competent, always with a smile, always kind. Because our chemistries were blending well, we became friends and Joe became friends of my family. He enjoyed playing tennis with my wife Wilma, loved to play soccer with my son Mike and he saw my daughter Nicole being born 1979 and growing up.
When we moved back to my home country Switzerland in 1984 we maintained a close friendship with Joe which resulted into frequent travels of Joe to Switzerland to join me for bike rides in the Alps, in Cypress, Mallorca and other destinations.
Joe even travelled to my family in Switzerland for the funeral celebrations when my wife Wilma passed away in 2006 and he came back again for Mike and Julia‘s wedding in 2009.
Sometimes we had all night discussions about world news and future plans.
Because of Covid travel restrictions Joe was not able to come see me in recent times but the plans were that he would come back again for biking tours in Switzerland as soon as possible.
Forever I will have Joe in my memory as a kind, friendly and very helpful Gentleman.
I will keep my friend Joe as one of my closest friends
and “brother” in my everlasting memories.
Together with my family, I miss you Joe.
Rest in peace my friend.
Erich Schneeberger, Switzerland