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Joel Dunn Obituary

Joel Peter Dunn, age 72, of Amherst MA where he had his business Dunn Associates, formerly of Needham and Wellesley. Beloved son of the late John Raymond and Margaret (Coyne) Dunn, and brother of the late Joyce Dunn Higgins and John R. Dunn Jr. Born in Charlestown, NH, he grew up in Needham. He attended Needham High School and Boston College. In addition to his professional work as an insurance broker and financial planner Joel was a talented athlete in his youth, a life-long sports fan and a close follower of politics. He was a devoted son, a loving uncle, a generous friend and mentor. He is survived by his nephews and nieces: Rev. Charles J. Higgins III, Anne Higgins (goddaughter), Jonathan Higgins and his wife Tracey, Peter Higgins, and John R. Dunn III; his grandnephews and nieces: Michael, Lucy, Tara, Jack and Madeleine Higgins, and William Dunn, and his first cousin Catherine (Cass) Farrell. Due to the pandemic private funeral services have already been held: Requiem Mass at Mary Immaculate of Lourdes Church in Newton Upper Falls and burial at St. Marys Cemetery, Needham. To share a memory of Joel, please visit www.eaton funeralhomes.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Needham Times from Sep. 24 to Oct. 8, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
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3 Entries

George Neale

September 17, 2021

Many great memories from high school. Joel always had a smile. Basketball over the summer. Surfing at the Cape or on Martha´s Vineyard. He was a good friend. Hard to believe he´s gone.

Glenn Merkel

September 24, 2020

I have nothing but great memories of Joel from our days of playing after school basketball games at the Stephen Palmer grade school outdoor basketball court in Needham. Afterwards, it was go next door to the old YMCA for sodas and watching TV before we all went home. My Needham High School basketball teammates and I lost track of Joel after college until 2012 when his neighbor and close friend, Robert "Bo" Lynch found him living in Amherst. Shortly before Bo passed away in 2013, they did get to have a telephone conversation. My friends and I thoroughly enjoyed Joel's great sense of humor and infectious laugh. After 2013, he and I stayed in touch several times per year. I will miss Joel very much. Glenn Merkel

John Comerford

September 24, 2020

Joel was among the first classmates that I met on my first day of college back in 1966. Sorted by alphabet, Bob Conway, Paul DeWolfe, Joel Dunn, Fred Durham and I all became close friends. I regret having lost touch with Joel although I did stop by his office in Amherst one day but just missed him. Tonight, I will remember Joel in my thoughts and prayers as well as my memories of those fun days in college.

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