Broken-Hearted Community Bids Farewell To Beloved Teacher, Wife, Mom

CUTCHOGUE, NY — The North Fork community is mourning one of its brightest lights.

On Friday, June 24, 2022, Joanne Goerler passed away at the age of 57 after battling with cancer, her obituary said.

Joanne Frances Zuhoski was born on May 13, 1965, to Joseph and Sabina Zuhoski. With an innate passion for both learning and teaching, Joanne pursued a career in education, and went on to teach at John Marshall Elementary School for 30 years. On July 20, 1991, Joanne married her lifelong partner, Ron Goerler Jr., and together, they raised four children — Alexander, Anna, Sarah and Olivia.

Joanne’s light reached the entire community of Long Island. Some knew her through her work at Jamesport Vineyards, through her profound impact as a beloved educator, or simply by her being a part of the extensive Zuhoski family, along with her siblings Joey, Jerry, Cheryl, Judy and Michelle.
Truly, it never mattered how someone met Joanne. Each and every individual that crossed paths with her would be able to understand who she was immediately through her infectious and constant smile, her warmth, and her ability to make anyone feel loved and appreciated, cared for and heard.

Joanne is survived by her parents Joseph and Sabina, husband Ron, and their children Alex (Frances), Anna, Sarah and Olivia, her five siblings, as well as several cousins, nieces and nephews.

The wake will be held at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home, located at 13805 Main Road in Mattituck, between the hours of 2 p.m. 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, June 28, and a service will be held at Our Lady of Good Counsel R.C. Church, located at 14300 Main Road in Mattituck, at 10 a.m.on Wednesday, June 29.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Icla da Silva Foundation, which “saves lives of patients with diseases whose only cure is a bone marrow or cord blood transplant by providing emotional, logistical, and financial support to remove barriers to treatment," her obituary reads.

Donations can be mailed to the Icla da Silva Foundation, P.O. Box 797186, Dallas, Texas 75379, or by texting ICLA to 41444 or visit www.icla.org.