VonHANDORF, Joseph E., Deputy Chief, Chelsea Fire Dept.- Of Saugus, formerly of Chelsea, unexpectedly, January 11th. Devoted husband of Dorothy “Chee-Chee” VonHandorf. Beloved father of Christopher VonHandorf and his wife Helen of Norwood and Erin Silva and her husband Edwin of Peabody. Loving son of Joseph G. VonHandorf of Wilmington and the late Madeline (Delaney) VonHandorf. Dear brother of Ellen Tentindo and Nancy Haepers both of Wilmington and James VonHandorf of Amherst, New Hampshire. Cherished grandfather of Jason VonHandorf. Also lovingly survived by many nieces and nephews. Family and friends are kindly invited to attend a Funeral from the Smith Funeral Home, 125 Washington Avenue, CHELSEA on Saturday morning, January 15th at 8 AM followed by a Funeral Mass celebrated in Our Lady of Grace Church, 59 Nichols Street, CHELSEA at 9 o’clock. Visiting Hours in the Smith Funeral Home on Thursday evening from 7-9 PM and on Friday from 4-8 PM. Services will conclude with interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. Late United States Marine Corp. Veteran, Instructor of Fire Science at Bunker Hill Community College, Pension and Welfare Officer for Firefighters Local # 937 and former member of the Knights of Columbus. Expressions of sympathy in Joe’s name may be made to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701 or to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701
Deputy VonHandorf, passed away at the age of 52 in the emergency room of the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital late Tuesday afternoon after extradinary efforts made by the Saugus Fire Department, Cataldo Ambulance Service and the Doctors, Nurses and staff of the Melrose Wakefield Hospital.
A graduate of Our Lady of Grace School, Chelsea High School, Joe received his bachelors degree in Fire Science from Salem State College.
Appointed to the Department on July 8, 1974, rose to the rank of Liuetenant on April 25, 1977, promoted to Captain on December 27, 1982 and became a Deputy Chief of the Department on September 22, 1986. At the time of his death, Deputy VonHandorf was senior deputy of the department.
A resident of Saugus for the past 7 years, he spent his prior years as a member as well as a public servant to the City of Chelsea.