Joseph P. Herlihy Sr.

67, of Chelmsford, MA, passed away at his home on Friday, February 15 following a prolonged and valiant fight against a neurological illness. He was the husband of Marcia (Luther) Herlihy who survives him and to whom he was married for 45 years. Joseph was born to the late Margaret and Patrick Herlihy of Arlington, MA. In 1958, at age seventeen, he joined the United States Air Force and served overseas in the South Pacific where he developed a life long passion for aviation. While raising a young family he received a Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Lowell and continued to work with the military throughout his career for the civilian contractors: Sanders, Mitre Corp. and finally Raytheon Co. Even as an engineer, he continued to advance his aviation skills by taking ejection seat and high altitude training and employing his top secret clearances to work on experimental aircraft. He took great pride in the number of military bases he had worked at over the years. Joe was an avid reader and had an encyclopedic knowledge of World War II history. He also enjoyed playing golf and traveling. He coached many hockey teams and was a member of the board of directors for the Chelmsford Hockey Association during the late 1970s. He achieved the level of second degree black belt in kempo karate in the late 1980s. Joe was the embodiment of strength and stature and also had a great sense of humor. Above all he cherished his family and was an exemplary father. In addition to his loving wife he is survived by his four children, Joseph Herlihy Jr. and his wife Gloria (Brunelle) of Merrimack, NH, Brian Herlihy of Chelmsford, Craig Herlihy and his wife Christine (Sloan) of Chelmsford and Kerry Ann Herlihy of Nashua, NH, his sisters Margaret (Peggy) Ciampa of Bedford and Mary Indrisano of Burke, VA, two brothers, Gerald Herlihy of Bedford and John Herlihy of United Arab Emirates, mother-in-law Rachael Leventhal of Lexington, and a host of caring in-laws, nieces, nephews and wonderful friends. Visiting hours will be held on Monday evening from 4 to 7 at the Blake Funeral Home, 24 Worthen St., Chelmsford. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday morning at 11 o'clock at St. Mary's Church, Chelmsford. Interment in Pine Ridge Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Joseph's honor to the American Red Cross, Service to the Armed Forces, PO Box 4002018, Des Moines, IA 50340-2018, enter Service to the Armed Forces on check memo. Arrangements by Blake Funeral Home, CHELMSFORD. blakefuneralhome.com