Joseph R. Hawthorne

1948 - 2018

Joseph R. Hawthorne, Jr.
of Shirley; 69

SHIRLEY - Joseph R. Hawthorne, Jr., 69, of Shirley, died Tuesday Morning, January 23, 2018, at his residence.

Joe was born in Fitchburg, November 25, 1948, a son of the late Joseph R. and Anne (Dunleavy) Hawthorne and has resided in Shirley for over 40 years.

He was a graduate of St. Bernard's Central Catholic High School in Fitchburg and later attended Fitchburg State College. He had been active in the Fitchburg Scouting program and had attained the level of Eagle Scout.

During the Vietnam era Joe served his country for over four years in the United States Navy.

Joe began his career of 36 years as a professional firefighter when, in 1977, he was appointed to the Shirley Fire Department. In 1984 he rose to the rank of Lieutenant and in 2003 became Captain of the Department and in 2012 was named of Deputy Chief of the Shirley Fire Department. He continued to remain active in the activities of the department after his retirement in 2013.

In December 2009, Joe was the first to respond to a house fire on Phoenix Street in Shirley where he was able to single handedly rescue an injured woman from the burning building.

As a result of his heroism he was honored by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as the Firefighter of the Year in 2010. Also, that year, Joe was honored with the American Legion Silver Star Medal of Valor.

He was instrumental in the formation of the Shirley Legion Youth Baseball League and had coached in the youth sports programs. He was a member of St. Anthony's Church, Shirley.

He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Mary E. (Legere) Hawthorne; a son, Jonathan T. Hawthorne and wife, Lisa of Ayer; a daughter, Katie A. Hawthorne and boyfriend, Jason Strniste of West Brookfield; two stepsons, Alex Mechachonis and wife Alisha of Granville, Michael Mechachonis and wife Melissa of Suffield, CT; a brother, Mark Hawthorne of Fitchburg; three sisters, Brenda Santucci and Mary Foley both of Leominster, Anne "Honeybear" Smith of Texas; six grandchildren, Cameron Hawthorne, Emma Hawthorne, Holden Mechachonis, Anna Mechachonis, Ayla Mechachonis and Alex Mechachonisand nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his brother Thomas Hawthorne.

HAWTHORNE - A funeral Mass will be celebrated 10 AM Saturday, January 27th at St. Anthony Church, 14 Phoenix Street, Shirley.

Burial will be in the parish cemetery.

Calling hours are 4-7 Friday at the Anderson Funeral Home, 25 Fitchburg Rd., (Rte. 2A) Ayer. Please see www.andersonfuneral.com for additional information.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Shirley Hose Co. # 1, Shirley Fire Department, 8 Leominster Rd., Shirley, MA 01464.