AGAWAM – Joseph S. Elias, 76, of Agawam and a longtime resident of Springfield, was Called Safely Home on Monday, July 3, 2023. He passed into Eternal Life at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Aitou, Lebanon in 1947, a beloved son of the late Sadiq A. Elias and Chafika Souss. He was raised and educated in Lebanon, immigrated to Springfield in 1976 where he lived until moving to Agawam in 1988. Joe never shied away from hard work and was known for being a man of many trades and talents. He was an avid gardener, loved animals and wildlife, and enjoyed cooking and entertaining family and friends. Most of all, he was known for telling jokes and always being sharp witted. He was a communicant of Saint Anthony Maronite Catholic Church in Springfield where he was a member of the former Men's Society, taught Arabic to parishioners, and was a founding advisor for the Maronite Youth Organization. Above all, he loved his time with his wife, his family, and his many friends. He leaves his beloved wife, Marie (Boulos) Elias. They were married in Lebanon on February 9, 1975 and were blessed with over 48 years of happiness together. He also leaves his three loving and devoted children, Christine A. Elias of West Hartford, Anthony J. Elias and his wife, Danielle, and Tanya M. Boulos and her husband, Rouhana, all of Agawam; his five cherished grandchildren, Felicia Elias, Joseph Elias, Michael Elias, Lia Boulos, and Eliana Boulos; his two dear brothers, George Elias and his wife, Yvonne, of Peoria, IL, and Aziz Elias and his wife, Deborah, of Edgartown, MA; his dear sister, Marcelle Sara of Allentown, PA; his three dear sisters in law, Nadia Elias of Caracus, Venezuela, Wadiha Elias of Springfield, and Geraldine Elias of Agawam; and his many cherished nephews, nieces, numerous friends, and extended family members in the United States, Lebanon, and Venezuela. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his five dear siblings, Michael Elias and his wife, Widad, Emil Elias, Semaan Elias, Marie Zadie, and Antoine Elias; and his dear brother in law, Tanous Sara. His family will receive friends on Friday, July 7, 2023 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107. His funeral will be held on Saturday, July 8, 2023 beginning at the funeral home at 8:30 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Saint Anthony Maronite Catholic Church, 419 Island Pond Road, Springfield, MA 01118. His Burial will follow the Mass at Saint Michael Cemetery, 1601 State Street, Springfield, MA 01109. His family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to Saint Anthony Maronite Catholic Church MYO, 375 Island Pond Road, Springfield, MA 01118. For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com