Name: Visitation for JOSEPH P. NOONAN
Start: 2018-04-15T17:00:00.000Z
End: 2018-04-15T21:00:00.000Z
Location: Blake Chelmsford Funeral Home

NOONAN, Joseph P. 73, a resident of Gloucester, passed away on Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at his home surrounded by his family following a two year battle with cancer. He was the beloved husband of Sandra Louise (Allen) Noonan. He was born in Cambridge on August 19, 1944 and was a son of the late Patrick Joseph and Nora (Santos) Noonan. Joseph received his BS, MS, and PhD degrees in electrical engineering from Tufts University. He began his career with Raytheon Company in 1970. In 1978 he founded Bedford Research Associates, a mathematical analysis and scientific software firm. He served as President of Bedford Research until joining the faculty of the Electrical Engineering Department of Tufts University in 1985 where his specialty areas were Statistical Communication and Signal Processing. Joseph has published over 100 papers in scientific journals and conference proceedings and is the 1992 recipient of the Leibner Award for Outstanding Teaching at Tufts University. He is past chair of the department as well as consultant to the U.S. Department of Defense. A former student created the Joseph P. Noonan Outstanding Doctoral Research Prize as a scholarship in Joseph's honor, which made him very proud. Joseph was a member of the Gloucester Lodge of Elks and the New England Antique Radio Club. He loved sailing, taking cruises and dancing. He was affectionately known as the 'dancing professor'. Joseph's greatest enjoyment in life was spending time in the company of his loving family. In addition to his wife, Joseph is survived by his children; Sandra Holloway and her husband Howard of Townsend, Joseph Noonan and his wife Melanie of Gardner, Scott Noonan and his wife Saho of Hong Kong, Michael Noonan and his wife Amy of Westford, and Elizabeth Petros and her husband John of Groton, 13 grandchildren and his brother Philip Noonan and his wife Paula of Middlefield, CT. Visiting Hours: Visiting hours will be held on Sunday from 1 to 5 pm at the Blake Chelmsford Funeral Home, 24 Worthen St., CHELMSFORD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday at 11 o'clock at St. Mary Parish, 25 North Rd., Chelmsford, followed by interment in Pine Ridge Cemetery, Chelmsford. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Make A Wish Foundation, 1 Bullfinch Place, #201, Boston, MA 02114 (www.wish.org). For online condolences visit chelmsfordfuneralhome.com and find us on Facebook.

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Published by Boston Globe from Apr. 10 to Apr. 12, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for JOSEPH NOONAN

11 Entries

Student

September 1, 2024

I asked Professor Noonan for a recommendation to business school. I was a little dismayed when I held the letters up to the light, and saw only one short sentence in each. Extremely worried, I opened one of the letters meant for a safety school, and found the following sentence:
"This is a smart, hardworking young man, and you should admit him." I wasn't sure what to make of this. I figured I trusted him this far, I might as well go the distance. I guess it worked, as I got scholarship offers from every program.

Professor Noonan is one of the most important persons in my life, and it's not because he taught me stochastic calculus. As he predicted, I never seriously used it in my career. But as he jested, I do casually drop references to martingales and Fourier transforms to scare the **** out of the other coworkers in the office.

He (unknowingly?) set me down a path that has been rewarding on all levels. I always thought that one day (around this time) I'd stroll into his office, with a box of Cubans, and perhaps a fancy nautical watch. Instead I can only give my accolades:
Professor Noonan was an exceptional person.

Lindsay Morand

April 4, 2022

Remembering you with kind thoughts...

Pat and Mike Duffy

April 30, 2018

Sandy, Pat and I were so sorry to hear of Joe's passing. However, we will always have those wonderful memories of the joyful times we had together at Tufts.

Pat Struzziero

April 20, 2018

Dear Sandy and family, Alex and I were saddened to hear of Joe's passing. He was such a nice man and wonderful father. I hope the love and support of your family and your memories of a wonderful journey together make your days a little easier. God bless you. Sincerely. Pat & Alex

Barbara Collins-Jacques

April 16, 2018

My thoughts are with Joey's family. We grew up together in Somerville. Knowing him and his family was a wonderful experience from my childhood that I will always treasure. I know the loss of this wonderful man is so very hard on everyone. I will always think of him with a smile.

Joe, Claudette and Sam Anger

April 12, 2018

Joe, Mel and kids, sending our thoughts and prayers to all of you at this time. I am sure he will live on in your hearts.

Scott Sahagian

April 12, 2018

My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Joe was an extraordinay gentleman, and at his retirement party I remember the glowing tributes paid to him by his students. HIs impact will be be felt for generations to come.

Rest in Peace Joe, you'd deserve it.

Ilse Allen

April 12, 2018

Sending you my heartfelt condolences on Joe's passing. He was a wonderful man and one of my favorite people at Tufts. He will be missed.

Lindsay Morand

April 11, 2018

Sending heartfelt condolences, love and prayers for all of you. Love, Lindsay

Michelle Giovanello

April 10, 2018

My thoughts prayers and love are with you and your family!!!

Marise Prophete

April 10, 2018

Sandi my condolences to you Howie,kaye,Zack my prayers are with you.I remember the first time I met your father on his porch smoking a cigar he welcomed me with open heart.I will always remember his kind words and acceptance.May his soul rest in peace aside the angels

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