PORTSMOUTH, VA - Joseph M. "Joe" Grout, 50, of Portsmouth, Virginia and a former longtime resident of Springfield was Called Safely Home on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, November 22, 2012. He passed into Eternal Life from his home surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Springfield on December 21, 1961, a beloved son of the late James E. and Alexandria G. (Harney) Grout. He was raised in the South End section of Springfield, graduated from the former Saint Michael Elementary School and in 1979 from the former Classical High School in Springfield. He served his country in the United States Army and attained the rank of Private First Class. Following his military service, he returned to Springfield and later lived in Aurora, Colorado for several years. He then moved to Whitingham, Vermont and began working for security at the Mount Snow Resort in West Dover, VT. He later became the Bell Valet Captain and worked at the Grand Summit Resort Hotel at Mount Snow. In 2007, he moved to Portsmouth, Virginia where he lived for the remainder of his life. He was employed as Operations Manager for the City of Norfolk, Virginia and was also Director of the Cruise Ship Terminal in Norfolk. He worked on the USS Wisconsin and his casket will be honorably draped with an American Flag that was flown on this ship. Even though Joe left New England, New England never left him as he was an avid New England sports fan and loved the Red Sox, Patriots and Bruins. His deep love of the Red Sox was so greatly recognized that his co-workers recently contacted the team and they sent a special package of sports memorabilia that was presented to Joe just days before his passing. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his loving brother, Mark Grout. He leaves his devoted partner, Larry Cline of Portsmouth, VA; his loving sister, Linda Pereira of West Dover, VT; his cherished nephews, Anthony Cripps of Rochester, NH and Nicholas Cripps of Somersworth, NH; his cherished niece, Angela Priest and her husband, Scott of Somersworth, NH; his cherished grandnephew, Jordan Cripps; his cherished grandnieces, Mallory Cripps, Miia Perkins and Mylee Cripps; his dear aunts, Lorraine Noonan, Rosalie Barepski and Rosa Harney, all of Springfield; several dear cousins; and his loyal canine companions, Shadow and Molly. His funeral will be held on Saturday morning, December 1, 2012 beginning at the St. Pierre - Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107, (funeral home will open at 8:30 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Saint Michael Cathedral, 254 State Street, Springfield, MA 01103. His burial will follow the Mass at Saint Michael Cemetery, 1601 State Street, Springfield, MA 01109. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, November 30, 2012 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Children's Miracle Network at Baystate Medical Center, 280 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01199.