Joseph Anthony Camarano was born on October 22, 1935 in Arlington Massachusetts. He was the son of Rose (DiMarco) and William Camarano and attended Arlington schools. He worked for Raytheon as a mechanical engineer for 40 years where he helped design the first generation of some of the defense systems that are still in use today.
He was a puzzle solver at work, as well as in his leisure time. He especially loved to solve the CryptoQuote and Jumble puzzles in the daily newspaper. When he had solved them, he would laugh out loud, and then proceed to read the decrypted quote to everyone so they could roll their eyes at the pun he uncovered!
He loved trains. He is a former member of the B&M Historical Society and was instrumental in retrieving B&M RR engine 410 from a local quarry and restoring it to its original state. The beautifully restored engine is still on display today on Dutton Street in historic Lowell, MA.
He spent many afternoons “chasing trains” and photographing them as they wound their way along the tracks. He designed, built and ran several HO gauge model train layouts with meticulous detail. He conceived and created fascinating landscapes that took any viewer inside a miniature world of tunnels, schoolyards and busy stations. He knew most types of trains, but truly loved old steam engines and the magic they brought to travel.
Joe could fix anything! He enjoyed improving, redesigning, remodeling and maintaining the houses he owned. He loved birds and watching them come to the bird feeders he would faithfully refill every day. He used his engineering skill in an attempt to design a squirrel proof bird feeder. He constructed pulleys, spinning spools, slippery wires and every imaginable deterrent he could think of on his backyard invention. It stretched 20 feet in the air between two trees. It was the only thing he gave up on! He finally conceded it was an engineering impossibility and just put out enough food for birds and squirrels alike!
Joe loved the Boston Red Sox. From boyhood to his last days, the Red Sox were his major sports love. He would watch when they were behind by 10 runs and always said, “It ain’t over til it’s over.” If he was at a game at Fenway, he wouldn’t leave his seat until the last out of the game. He was ecstatic when they finally won the World Series. But even when they were challenging the Yankees for the AL East basement in 2023, he was watching, cheering and looking forward to the next game. His optimism was admirable and his devotion unchallenged. There was always “next year!”
After retirement, he travelled and experienced many different places and cultures. He enjoyed sailing on a Mississippi River steamboat and eating beignets in New Orleans. For Joe, Alaska was awe inspiring with its glaciers. The geysers steaming and exploding all over Yellowstone were another of the natural wonders that he loved. In Quebec, he experienced the Chateuau Frontenac all lit up at night, and acres of blazing spring tulip fields in the Netherlands. He pondered the history that had been made in the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles, and felt the quiet coolness of Notre Dame Cathedral. He even climbed up into a windmill. It was tight, but he didn’t give up. He ate bison and a bit of alligator. His tenacity to try things and his curiosity about how things worked kept him challenged and fulfilled.
His devotion to those he loved & the warmth he brought to everyone & everything he touched is what made him truly special. He is survived by his son Joseph Jr. of Findlay OH, daughter Debra Kassay and her husband John of Parksville NY, & son Michael, of Findlay OH. He shared the best 34 years of his life with his partner Susan Tsiatis of Reading. She was the sunshine of his life. He was predeceased by his former wife of 26 years Joan Hazlett. He also leaves 11 grandchildren & 5 great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation to one of the following organizations in Joe’s name:
• Sawtelle Family Hospice House, Reading MA
https://www.bilhathome.org/home-health-services/hospice-care/support-us/
OR
• The Boston Red Sox Foundation
https://www.redsoxfoundation.org/
Calling hours will be Thursday, January 4th, from 2-4 p.m. at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee Street, Tewksbury, to be followed by a remembrance service to be held at the funeral home. After cremation, interment of his ashes will be at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Arlington