Joseph B. Borge of Franklin, formerly of Harwich, passed away on February 6, 2025 after a brief illness.
Born on February 19, 1936 in Fall River, Joe graduated from Somerset High School and attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute where he earned a degree in electrical engineering in 1958. He was a member of WPI’s undefeated football team in 1954 and a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. Joe married his high school sweetheart June Kadlec on August 23, 1958.
In 1976, Joe and June built a second home in Eastham to realize their dream of planting roots on Cape Cod. It's where they spent nearly 25 years enjoying summers and off-season visits to their favorite spots including trips to the outer beaches of Coast Guard and Nauset, sunsets at First Encounter Beach, and sailing on Pleasant Bay. After living in Eastham full time for a few years, they moved to Harwich in 2002 following Joe’s retirement from Jamesbury Corp. where he worked for 33 years. On Cape Cod they had many happy years with friends, both old and new. In 2019 they returned to Franklin where they raised their three children.
Joe enjoyed his retirement on Cape Cod for nearly 20 years and served a term as President of the Nauset Newcomers where he and June made many friends and were involved in the organization's many social activities. Joe also volunteered for Harwich Council on Aging where he drove the senior bus and for Lower Cape Outreach where he helped find resources for Cape Cod residents experiencing financial difficulties.
Despite his many health challenges over the last few decades, including a diagnosis of colon cancer in 1989, Joe took it all in stride and was not one to complain. He enjoyed a good beer, good food, his many overseas adventures with June to Portugal, Germany, Australia and beyond, spending time with his family, and playing golf. As a diehard Boston sports fan, seeing the Red Sox win the World Series in 2004 and watching his beloved New England Patriots win multiple world championships were about as good as it gets.
Joseph is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, June; his son Joe Borge and his wife Christine of Port Charlotte, FL; his daughter Linda Coyle and her husband Fran of North Attleboro, MA; and his daughter Amy Haelsen and her partner Brian of Dedham, MA. He also leaves behind his cherished granddaughters Jessica Boulais and her husband Tim of New Milford, CT; Veronica Coyle and her fiancé Craig Schoaf of Charlottesville, VA; Sydney and Julia Haelsen of Dedham, MA, as well as great-granddaughters Hannah and Alexia Boulais of New Milford, CT.
A celebration of life for Joe will be held at a later date.
Donations in Joe's memory may be made to Dana Farber Cancer Insitute, PO Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168 or via www.jimmyfund.org/gift
The Charles F. Oteri and Son Franklin Funeral Home 33 Cottage St. is honored to assist the Borge family.
Guestbook www.franklinfuneral.com