Joseph W. Kelleher, of Burlington formerly of Somerville and Arlington, passed away peacefully September 1, 2023, following a short period of declining health. He was 96. He was the beloved husband of the late Catherine "Kay" (Walsh) Kelleher. Born in Somerville he was the only child of the late William H. and Excelle (Harvey) Kelleher.
Joe was one of the last of the greatest generation. Raised in the East Somerville/Winter Hill neighborhood known for producing scrappy cops and wise guys. Joe enlisted in the United States Navy during his junior year of high school to be part of the WWII campaign in the South Pacific. He was in the invasion of Sai Pan and Tinian as a submariner and a member of the Deck Crew of the USS Holland. He was part of one of the first landing parties on Nagasaki and Hiroshima, an event that stuck forever. Although a staunch supporter of Harry Trumans fearless endeavor to end the war, he opposed nuclear war after seeing its devastation.
Upon return to civilian life and following his marriage to Catherine "Kay" Walsh, he began his quest to become a Police Officer. His goal was achieved in 1956 upon his appointment to the Metropolitan District Commission Police Department. Stationed for 25 years on Revere Beach, where he was known affectionately as “The Dancer". Joe embraced Revere Beach's challenges and actively participated in the policing of a hot bed of organized crime. After numerous awards and years of good police work among a who's who of the underworld, Joe moved to the newly formed MDC Marine Unit as one of the first seven members. A highly trained, fit group of Veteran Officers appointed to the coveted position. Joe loved his "Harbor" tenure and stayed until 1992 when the MDC Police merged with the Massachusetts State Police.
Joe was one of the early members of LEEP which afforded Police Officers the opportunity to further their educations. He proudly completed his BA degree from Northeastern University and his Master's Degree at Suffolk University. He was actively involved in the unionization of the MDC Police and oversaw improvements to the job which positively impacted future members of the MDC and their families for years to come. He was also instrumental in the inclusion of the PEBSCO Investment Plan for MD Police Officers.
Throughout his life, Joe was an avid runner and continued running well into his mid 80's, he was a proficient golfer with two holes in one, and a fitness buff until the end. He was a longtime member of the Somerville YMCA and one of the earliest Real Estate Investors and Developers in East Somervile and surrounding cities. Joe wintered for over fifty years on the West Coast of Florida in Palm Harbor with Kay until her passing and in more recent years in the Dunedin and Clearwater area.
Joe was a true renaissance man, who as one old Police Colleague said, “when the action was hot and the going got tough, you wanted Joe by your side". Go Raibh Suaimhneas Siorai Air.
Joe is survived by his devoted children; Katherine Spellman and her husband Steve of Woburn, Maureen Lawton and her husband Paul of Woburn, William M. Kelleher and his wife Karen of Gloucester. He was the loving grandfather of Michael Spellman and his wife Aimee, Karen Kerr and her husband Gary, Dennis Kelleher TPD and his wife Kelly, Kevin Kelleher Division Chief USAF Hanscom AFB and his wife Maura. Loving great grandfather of Scarlett, Casey, Christian, Eleanor, Camden, Fiona, and Madison.
Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend calling hours at the McLaughlin - Dello Russo Family Funeral Home, 60 Pleasant St., Woburn, Wednesday, September 13th, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. followed by a funeral Mass celebrated in St. Barbara Church, 138 Cambridge Rd., Woburn at 11 a.m. Services will conclude with military honors and burial at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. It has been requested that in lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Joe's memory to the charity of one's choice.