Joseph M Denneen

Joseph M. Denneen, age 75, passed away at Boston Medical Center on Tuesday, November 27, 2018.   Born in Quincy, Massachusetts on May 29, 1943, he was the son of the late John Francis and Anna R. (Russell) Denneen.  He was raised in Quincy, where he graduated from Quincy High School with the Class of 1962.  After graduation, Joe found work as an automotive mechanic, before his father convinced him that he should join the United States Military and he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in October of 1964. 

 

While on active duty, Joe met his wife to be, Gloria J. Manocchio, when he attended a Halloween party at a mutual friend’s home.  Joe married Gloria on February 6, 1966 in Blessed Sacrament Church in Walpole, prior to being deployed to Vietnam.  He was initially stationed in Okinawa, Japan, repairing cranes, and later entered the country of Vietnam, serving as an inspector and repairman in Danang and Chu-lai.  Joe returned State side in May of 1967, making his home at Quantico, Virginia, earning the rank of Sergeant, before being honorably discharged in October of 1967.  Upon his discharge from the Marine Corps, Joe and Gloria settled on Bowker Street in Walpole, Massachusetts and Joe found work delivering oil for the Nelson Oil Company.  Joe later took a teaching position at Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School, giving instruction in diesel and hydraulic repair.  He worked at Hudson General at Boston’s Logan International Airport as the fleet maintenance manager, and eventually retired in 2008.

 

Joe had an active interest in local town government.  His career in Walpole politics began when he served as open town meeting member in 1968 and 11 years later, he was elected to serve as a Representative to Town Meeting (RTM).  Joe served on a variety of committees in the Town of Walpole, including the Bylaw Study Committee in the 1980s, the Solid Waste Advisory Committee in the early 1980s, the Capitol Budget Committee from 1993 to 2003, the DPW Garage Study Committee in 1996, the DPW Director Search Committee in 1997, the Finance Committee beginning in 2010, the Veterans Service Committee beginning in 2012, the Assistant Town Manager Search Committee, and the Low Level Radioactive Waste Site Committee.  His devotion to the citizens of Walpole did not end with committees as Joe sat on the Board of Directors for the Walpole Housing Authority from 1994 to 2003 and was elected to the Board of Selectmen in 2003, proudly serving until 2007.  In addition, Joe served at the state level, working for several years with Joanne Sprague in her office at the State House.

 

In his spare time, Joe was an avid baseball fan, faithfully following the Boston Red Sox, and as a proud Marine Corps Veteran, loved learning about Military History.  He passed his love of Cribbage on to his children.  His constant thirst for knowledge led Joe to be a coveted trivia partner while watching Jeopardy.  While some of his interests changed throughout the years, Joe always maintained his interest in automobiles, owning a 1962 GMC Pickup and regularly caring for his friend John Hill’s antique cars.

 

Beloved husband of Gloria J. (Manocchio) Denneen.

Loving father of Joseph M. Denneen, Jr. of Fairlee, Vermont, Kelly A. Denneen of Mansfield, Michelle E. Denneen of Walpole, and Alyssa M. Denneen of Norfolk.

Cherished grandfather of AnnMarie Denneen, Joseph M. Denneen, III, and Isabelle R. Maguire and great grandfather of Hailee Mae, Mackenzee Lynn, and Natalee Rose.

Brother of the late John F. Denneen, Jr., James E. Denneen, and Francis R. Denneen.

Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

 

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Joe’s Life Celebration on Tuesday, December 4, 2018 from 4 to 8 PM and Wednesday, December 5, 2018 from 9 to 9:30 AM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Blessed Sacrament Church, 10 Diamond Street, Walpole on Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at 10:00 AM.  Interment will follow in Saint Francis Cemetery in Walpole.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Walpole Area VNA, P.O. Box, 252, Walpole, MA 02081.