Joseph Patrick Shipman

Joseph Patrick Shipman of Shamrock Christmas Tree Farm in Mattituck, passed away on Saturday, December 20, 2025. He was 71 years old.

The family received friends on Friday, December 26th from 2-7 P.M. at the DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck.

The Liturgy of Christian Burial was celebrated on Saturday, December 27th at 10:00 A.M. at Our Lady of Ostrabrama R.C. Church in Cutchogue, officiated by Father Ryszard Ficek.

Interment followed at Sacred Heart R.C. Cemetery adjacent to the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital would be appreciated. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.


Obituary


Joseph Patrick Shipman of Shamrock Christmas Tree Farm in Mattituck, and 54-year resident of Mattituck, passed away on Saturday, December 20, 2025. He was 71 years old.

Joe was born on September 15, 1954 in Queens, NY to Katherine D. (née Rooney) and John W. Shipman. He was one of six children. He was raised in Springfield Gardens, Queens, NY until he was 17, when his family moved to the North Fork. He graduated from Southold High School. After high school, he attended Farmingdale College where he attained his Associates Degree.

On September 29, 1971, at Saint Patrick’s R.C. Church in Southold, he married the love of his life Cathleen L. (née Ellis) Shipman. Together they had five children and made their home in Mattituck. In his professional career, Joe worked as a self-employed Christmas tree grower and arborist for 45 years and was the founder of Shamrock Christmas Tree Farm, Inc. in Mattituck. He was a member of the Professional Certified Applicators of Long Island, Christmas Tree Farmers Association of New York, Arboricultural Association, Inc., New York State Arborists ISA Chapter, International Society of Arboriculture, Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association, the Mattituck Lions Club (where he was a past president twice over and received the Melvin Jones Fellow Award), the Mattituck Chamber of Commerce and Our Lady of Ostrabrama R.C. Church in Cutchogue.

Predeceased by his son Joseph; and brother John; Joe is survived by his wife Cathleen; children William Shipman (Beth) of Cutchogue, Nicole Shipman of Riverhead, Steven Shipman (Deanna) of Morrisonville, NY and Jonathan Shipman (Jennifer) of Mattituck; grandchildren Torrance Shipman, Grace Olmstead, Faith Ann Shipman, Aidan Shipman, Jonathan Shipman, Joseph Shipman and Katie Fogarty; great-grandchild Craig Fogarty; and siblings Carol Cannella (Tony), Mary O’Neil, Kathy Randolph and Tom Shipman (Peggy).

The family received friends on Friday, December 26th from 2-7 P.M. at the DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck. The Liturgy of Christian Burial was celebrated on Saturday, December 27th at 10:00 A.M. at Our Lady of Ostrabrama R.C. Church in Cutchogue, officiated by Father Ryszard Ficek. Interment followed at Sacred Heart R.C. Cemetery adjacent to the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital would be appreciated. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.

Messages of Sympathy

There are no words to express the loss that our family and the entire community is feeling today. Joe was a very special man. Many people only knew him as the gruff farmer who just liked to work. He was so much more than that. Living next-door to Joe and Cathy for the last 31 years we got to know the kind of man he really was, a family man who enjoyed working hard, living by good morals and taking care of his family, particularly the love of his life, Cathy.(Katy) he will be missed beyond measure. We consider ourselves very blessed and honored to have known him. God bless his family, and may he rest in eternal peace.

by Lara Skrezec
2025-12-22 10:33:55 PM

Merry Christmas Dad. I love you and miss you terribly. This is the first Christmas in 53 years that we haven’t seen each other. Our hearts are broken, All farm business is done, all went well. Over the last 4 weeks we had many conversations about life, some tough, Some easy, some funny and others serious. I listened and I heard every single word you said. I will do my best with what you asked. Mom will be taken care of and never left alone. RIP see you again I love you.\r\n\r\n Your son Bill

by William Shipman
2025-12-25 6:48:39 PM