GROVELAND: Joseph H. “Joe” Roberts, 91, died Monday, September 23, 2013 in the Oxford Manor Nursing Home with his loving and devoted family by his side. He was the husband of Mildred E. (Villers) Roberts. He was predeceased by his first wife and the mother of his nine children, Irene F. (Archambault) and his second wife, Theresa M. (Comeau) Roberts.
Born in Raymond, New Hampshire on December 7, 1922, he was the son of the late Charles H. and Clara J. (Boardman) Roberts. He resided in Haverhill and Kezar Falls, Maine for many years before moving to Groveland in 1998. Joe was a U. S. Navy World War II veteran. He enlisted in 1942 and was honorably discharged in 1945. He was a member of Wilbur M. Comeau, VFW Post, #4 and the American Legion in Haverhill.
He worked as an auto technician for Coppola Bus Company of Haverhill, Jim Howe Chevrolet of Newton, New Hampshire and the former Warrier’s Texaco Gas Station in Amesbury. He had also once owned and operated Lafayette Auto Service on Essex Street in Haverhill for sixteen years.
Joe was an avid collector of shot glasses, decks of cards and coins. He was known for his story telling talents and loved to share his stories with folks of all ages. He will be remembered most for his zest for life. Even though he had such a large family he still made it possible to make time for them all. Joe’s family will have many cherished memories of the times they have spent together, especially at their home in Kezar Falls.
In addition to his wife, he is also survived by his four sons, Joseph P. Roberts and his wife, Peggy, Gary C. Roberts and his wife, Sharon, Michael A. Roberts and his wife, Debbie and Mark A. Roberts; five daughters, Ilene Callahan and her husband, John, Barbara Bogrett and her husband, Steve, Diana Martin and her companion, Howard Edwards, Norma Jean Giorato and her husband, Tony and Carol Roberts; two stepdaughters, Sandra L. Ansley and her husband, Joe and Catherine Arsenault and her husband, Donald; adopted son, Edmond Roberts and his wife, Ginger; twenty-eight grandchildren; thirty-four great-grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews, especially Janet and Judy who would visit him often. He was also predeceased by his grandson, David Arsenault; great-granddaughter, Isabella Gondolfo and his daughter-in-law, Sandy Roberts.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, September 27, 2013 in St. James Church, 161 Winter St., Haverhill at 10 a.m. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, September 26, 2013 in the Linnehan-Grondin Funeral Home, 129 Kenoza Ave., Haverhill from 4 – 8 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. Interment will be held in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Haverhill. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Joseph’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, 480 Pleasant Street, Watertown, MA 02472.