In Taunton, Joseph W. Martin, Age 89, passed away peacefully in Morton Hospital on December 2, 2019 while surrounded by his loving family. Joseph was the loving husband of the late Jean (Smith) Martin. He was born in Taunton, the son of the late John H. & Anna (Webb) Martin. He attended Taunton schools and was a lifetime resident of Taunton. Joe was above all a man who loved and cared for his family. Married to Jean for seventy years, he was devoted to her. Together they raised three daughters in a house that he built from the basement to the cupola. The saplings that he planted are magnificent oaks today. His construction skill was his side job; building and repairing houses in Taunton with his brother Jack. Joe’s full time occupation was as a dedicated firefighter with the Taunton Fire Department. He loved nature and being outdoors. In retirement he especially enjoyed working on his house and grounds. Into his 80’s he could still be seen rebuilding his deck, erecting a fence or planting more trees. Joe’s home repair advice and his labor on his children’s houses could rival any “This Old House episode”. Watching televised Red Sox games was one of the favorite parts of his day. As a lifelong ardent and loyal Red Sox fan he often vocally expressed dismay with the manager’s game day decisions. His other favorite televised show was “American Pickers” which was really just an extension of his own unique ability to find and bargain for “treasured” items at weekend yard sales. As a lifetime parishioner at Holy Family Church, his faith was strong; so was the respect that he showed by the simple act of tipping the brim of his ever-present hat whenever he drove past a church. Joe was a man dedicated to the city where he lived and worked for his entire life. He was quick with a story and even quicker with a smile. He was a friendly man with a good sense of humor. He enjoyed his Irish heritage. He was a man without pretence. Joe’s love and concern for his wife, his children, his grandchildren and great grandchildren was apparent and enduring. He was a man you liked to know. Joseph was the loving father of; Sallie Changery and her husband Robert of Lakeville, Mary Andelman and her husband Gene of Brunswick, Maine, and Joan Johnson and her late husband Raymond of Silver Springs, FL, Grandpa of; Aaron Baptista and his wife Jennifer of Wilmington, Rebecca Changery of Dorchester, Jacob Changery of Lakeville, Lindsey Andelman of Brunswick, Maine, Travis W. Johnson of Tequesta, FL, Corrine Jean Johnson of Tampa, Sarah Mae Johnson of Orange City, FL, Great Grandfather of Josie, Sam and Nate Baptista all of Wilmington. Funeral from the O’Keefe-Wade Funeral Home, 70 Washington Street in Taunton Saturday, December 7th at 10 AM, followed by a graveside service at St Joseph Cemetery in Taunton at 11 AM.