JOSEPH T. ROBERTS

1948 - 2024

ROBERTS, Joseph T. JOSEPH TOWNSEND ROBERTS 04/02/1948 - 06/19/2024 Joseph T. Roberts, of South Hamilton, MA, died on June 19 at Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers, after a brief and cruel illness. He was 76 years old and had just retired from a 50-year career in investment and wealth management in Boston. He attended elementary school in Wenham, Brooks School in North Andover and Harvard College. After a 3-year adventure in Australia, where he met and fell in love with Angela Lewis, Joe returned to the Boston area with his brave bride. He began his career at Tucker, Anthony & R.L. Day. A half-century later, he retired from William Blair & Co. with the gratitude and fond wishes of devoted clients and colleagues, many of whom were decades-long associates. He was generous with his non-professional time, assuming volunteer roles within the Hamilton-Wenham community where he and Angela settled. Affectionately addressed by all as Joey or Joe-Pie (a childhood nickname), he was a special man: gentle, kind, engaging, humble, conscientious, uncomplicated and sincere. He had several passions, a couple of which were inherited. From his mother came the talent for golf and an effortless swing. Holes-in-one and club championships accumulated. A patient mentor later in life, he coached many of his friends' children in learning to play. From his father, Joey absorbed a deep appreciation (you might say, obsession) for upland game hunting and birddog-rearing. The joys of watching his dogs work, observing nature's gifts and resourcefulness, and the camaraderie of his friends are what mattered most to him. Joey was a history buff. In particular, he was a lifelong student of the American Civil War. He was a raconteur. He delighted in old-style Yankee lore and could relay stories in perfect Downeast vernacular. He was a consummate putterer, meticulously customizing storage nooks and crannies in his workshop, garage, and Jeep. Velcro was his friend. He enjoyed grooming his property and excelled at pruning. He adored his panoramic view of the Miles River marsh and the hosts of birds and wildlife it shelters. Sensing Joey's somewhat shy, impish nature, kids were drawn to him, and he to them. He loved music, laughter, rum hot toddies, Jamaican holidays, soup for lunch, the superb cooking of his wife, dawn walks with the dogs, a good nap, and his pipe, his ultimate nemesis. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Angela Roberts of South Hamilton; sisters, Alice Dietrich of Boston and Polly Roberts (Rex Swain) of Washington, CT; nephew Ned Roberts (Michelle) and family of Tampa, FL; sister-in-law Susie McIntosh of Lake Wales, FL and her son, Forgan McIntosh (Jessa), and his family of Dover, MA; his beloved English family, brother-in-law Patrick Lewis; nieces, Annabelle and Emily Lewis; and nephews, Charles (Charlotte) Lewis and family, and Oliver (Ellie) Lewis; his numerous Godchildren, and his wide circle of revered friends. He was predeceased by his parents, Edward P. Roberts and Alice Jaques Roberts; brothers, William and Edward P. Roberts, Jr.; brother-in-law Curtiss Dietrich; as well as many treasured English Setters and West Highland White Terriers. Joe considered himself a lucky man. Perhaps his greatest stroke of luck was in finding Angela 53 years ago. In the rich and fulfilling life they forged together, he thrived. A Memorial Celebration will be held at the Myopia Hunt Club on September 19. If you are so inclined, please consider a donation in Joey's honor to Care Dimensions, a compassionate non-profit organization, at 75 Sylvan Street, Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923.

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