Joseph Michael DeNapoli passed away peacefully in his home on January 7, 2019 at the age of 76. He left this earth with a very happy heart, with a love for family and friends that brought him joy every day of his life. As Dad…Papa Joe…Joe D or Joseph Michael…this man embodied a generosity of heart that most of us can only wish to achieve. He was a charitable man, unselfish with his time, his advice or opinion, and forever thinking of others. Whether family, friends, neighbors or even strangers…Joe found a way to take action and lend a hand. There will be a huge hole in the hearts of his family and friends, but also the entire Roslindale/West Roxbury communities, and anyone who was lucky enough to know him, with his passing.
Joe’s life was all about relationships. He had a great group of lifelong friends that he stayed in touch with; he was that friend who was the “glue”. He loved to be an organizer, whether it was corralling the family for an annual Whalom Park trip or putting together the West Roxbury/Roslindale reunion for 200 people. He was passionate about his relationship with you. If you were in Joes life you knew he cared about you.
His passion for service began with enrollment in the National Guard at 18, where he went to Fort Dix in New Jersey. Joe worked many jobs, spending time in sales as a young man and was named top salesman at Surmans for his sense of style and love of clothes. His career, however, was truly in Construction where he worked for Local 4 for many years, and then went on to be an Inspector for the MBTA, where he ended his career as the President of the MBTA Local 105, fighting for the rights of his union brothers.
But Joe’s legacy achievement was that of a TRUE family man. He had a very special relationship with each of his children, Tom, Angela and Michael, as well as his daughter in laws Pamela and Kristina DeNapoli. He adored his loving companion Barbara Sullivan and her family, Candace and Billy, of 20 years, and his dear friend and former wife Frances DeNapoli. He was such a wonderful Papa Joe to 6 grandchildren, Johanna Eicher, Jacquelyn Spinelli, Alec, Zachary and Gianna DeNapoli, and Landon Harris and like a Papa to Barbara’s grandchildren Bruce, Jonathan and Samantha. Joe was lucky enough to see 3 great-grandchildren enter the family, Everly and Isabelle Eicher, and Antonio Spinelli, for whom he held so much pride and love. He was a caring and fantastic son to his now deceased parents Helen and Angelo DeNapoli, an awesome big brother to Billy DeNapoli and his wife Susan, Uncle to Christopher DeNapoli, and cousin to many, nurturing every relationship with unconditional love and concern. He was also friend and housemate with his brother-in-law Ed Mahoney for nearly 30 years.
Calling hours for Joe will be held at the Joseph Russo Funeral home, 814 American Legion Highway, Roslindale on Thursday, January 10th from 4-8pm. A funeral Mass will be held at 10 AM at St. Johns Church, 4750 Washington Street, West Roxbury on Friday January 11, 2019. Family and friends are invited to join in celebrating the life of a wonderful man.
In lieu of flowers, and in the spirit of Joe’s generous spirit, donations may be made to the Make a Wish Foundation, 1 Bulfinch Place, Boston, MA 02114.