FALL RIVER - Gary R. Joseph, beloved brother of Wayne, Michele, and Holly, who loved and was loved by family and many friends, left us unexpectedly the morning of May 12, 2009, at home. Born on April 23, 1949, in Hyannis, he was the son of the late William E. and Dorothy Atwood Joseph of Eastham.
Growing up in Eastham, he attended the Eastham public school. Gary was a 1967 graduate of Nauset Regional High School. Attending on a baseball scholarship, he received an Associates Degree from Gunstock Junior College in New Hampshire. He held aspirations of playing baseball professionally until injuries interrupted this goal. His career path changed and in 1971, he graduated from the Police Academy in Framingham serving on the Wellfleet Police Department where he achieved the rank of Sergeant. A recovering alcoholic he became a Certified Alcoholism Counselor in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He served the facilities of High Point, PAACA, SSTAR Inpatient Services and Veteran's Transition House, receiving numerous awards and commendations.
Gary was a lifelong member of Red Sox Nation, a loyal Patriots fan and was always interested in his nieces and nephews lives. His passion for his work was equal to that of sports. He was most proud of his many years of sobriety and had recently quit smoking. His ability to help others, his charming personality and hearty laugh will be sorely missed. His family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and friends that took care of him during his recent cardiac and respiratory illness.
Gary is survived by his brother Wayne, and his wife Margaret, of Sheffield, his sisters Michele Puzo, and her husband Charlie, of Harwich, Holly Stranger, and her husband Steven of West Yarmouth; his aunt Barbara Tarvers of Eastham; several nieces, nephews and cousins; special friends and co-workers.
A Memorial Celebration of Gary’s life will be held Sunday, July 19, 2009, at the Nickerson Funeral Home in Orleans. A time for visiting will be at 1pm, followed by the service at 2pm. Interment will be at the Evergreen Cemetery in Eastham. In lieu of flowers, donations in the memory of Gary R. Joseph can be made to SSTAR Inpatient Services, %Sue St. Amour/Sandy DeGaetano, 386 Stanley Street, Fall River, MA 02723. To sign the on line Guest Book you may go to www.southcoastfuneralhome.com.