Jorawar “Joe” Shivshankar Misir passed peacefully at the age of 80 on Phagwah, Tuesday, March 7, 2023.

He is survived by his beloved wife of almost 53 years, Kaola “Sandra,” nee Pardessie; daughter Deborah (Grant); son Paul (Reka) and his three wonderful grandsons, Ayan, Brahm and Rego.  He is also survived by his brother Chandica (Indranee) and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

A trailblazing man of action and energy, Joe lived a life of adventure across three continents.  Born during WWII and raised in the Corentyne, Berbice, of then British Guyana, Joe was raised by his loving parents, Pandit Shivshankar Misir and Bephia, nee Rampersaud, along with 11 older brothers and sisters in a Hindu family, active in religious life.  He spent his childhood on his family’s lands, riding horseback, fishing, hunting game, and camping with his brothers in the unspoiled wilds of Guyana.  Throughout his life, he retained an affection for a rural, simple lifestyle, and a deep devotion to God.

As a young graduate, he taught school at Wellington Park School in East Berbice.  Then at the age of 19, he moved to England to train as a lawyer at the Inns of Court, Lincoln’s Inn.  He became the first member of his family to graduate university, and passed the demanding examinations to become a Barrister at Law.  After qualifying as a Barrister, he practiced law before the Courts of England and Guyana.  Joe loved the law, and was devoted to justice and vigorous representation of his clients.

But America beckoned, and after 18 years in England, he relocated his young family to New York, and became a proud American.  Joe invested in real estate and also worked for the City of New York in various capacities, including service after 9/11 at Ground Zero of the World Trade Center.  He ultimately retired as a Director of Lease Enforcement for the Department of Human Resources Administration.

Joe also became a leader in the community. He was elected and served for many years as a District Leader of the Queens Republicans, and ran as the Republican and Conservative nominee for US Congress in 1996 – one of the first Indian and Guyanese Americans to run for federal office.  He was also twice elected a Delegate to the Republican National Convention (2000 and 2008), as a delegate for Senator John McCain. 

After retirement from the City of New York, Joe went back to his beloved Corentyne and re-opened his law office in New Amsterdam, where he represented hundreds of clients from 2008 to 2016. He represented a wide range of clients, from the burgeoning oil industry to defendants in notorious criminal trials.  Whatever he did, he put his heart and soul into.

Joe especially cherished his children, grandchildren, nephews and nieces, delighting in their accomplishments.  He always had time to give advice and support, and appreciated a good book and long game of chess.  He thoroughly enjoyed long discussions and debates with friends and family members about history, politics, law, philosophy, and religion.  His intellect, courage and love will be dearly missed by all.

Visitation at the Fairchild Sons Funeral Home will be held on Thursday, March 9, 2023 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm., to be followed by a religious service and cremation on Friday, March 10, 2023.