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Joseph CANAVAN Obituary
Visitation in The O'Brien Funeral Home, 146 Dorchester Street, SOUTH BOSTON, on Thursday, August 1st, from 4-8pm. Funeral Mass in Gate of Heaven Church, 615 East 4th Street, South Boston, on Friday, 11 am. Interment Gardens of Gethsemane, West Roxbury. Relatives and friends are invited to attend all services. Joe was the retired Superintendent of Public Works for the City of Boston for 28 years. Late veteran U.S. Marine Corps.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe's memory may be made to the Thomas J. Fitzgerald VFW POST # 561, 715 East 4th Street, South Boston, MA 02127. For directions and guest book visit obrienfunerals.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joseph CANAVAN
Bobby Canavan
July 23, 2025
Joe,,, You were called to heaven a year ago July 25 2024 I know your Wife Debbie. Daughters Corinne, Maura her husband Drew your granddaughter Maeve all of our family and your friends still missed so much !!..Jack and i still talk about you and how much we miss you calling us to be
sure we were ok and if we needed anything You left us a year ago but you are never forgotten what makes good memories very special are you will always be in our Hearts and missed very very much love yaa
your (cousins) brothers Bobby & Jack Canavan
Robert Joseph Hunt
December 11, 2024
I am very saddened to hear that my wonderful brother-in-law has gone to heaven. Joe was a great mentor and a trusted advisor to my children and grandchildren and to me. Whenever I would call Joe, he always offered exemplary advice about any family situation. It certainly was a great honor and a great privilege to have Joe as my confidant. Because we are both veterans, we understand allegiance to our country. I have many incredible memories of being with Joe at many exciting events. We all loved Joe, and we all loved being in Joe's presence. Joe was a superb leader and highly respected by all of us. My children and grandchildren and I will miss all of the fun that Uncle Joey created when we visited with him. We know that the Good Lord will bless Uncle Joey in heaven. Very Sincerely, Bob Hunt
Carmen P Amico
August 13, 2024
I learned today 8/13/24 of Joe´s passing. I new Joe since 1963
PWD. He always took care of his employee´s He will be miss.
Joe rest in price.
Sherine
August 9, 2024
Debbie and family. I just found out about the passing of Joe. I am so sorry for your loss. May Joe rest in heavenly peace.
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Bob and Angie Longe
August 4, 2024
Dear Debbie and family,
Our most sympathy goes out to you and children on the passing of Joe. We were fortunate enough to get to know Joe and all of your close friends.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you.
RIP: Semper Fi
Bob and Angie Longe
Madonna Lester & Louise Whitehou
August 2, 2024
We just learned today 8/2 of Joe's passing. We' re so sorry at the loss of such a lovely man. Debbie, please know that you and all the family are in our thoughts and prayers. We will be in touch.
Teddy Wallace
August 1, 2024
I knew Joe since I was baby and he was good friend with my grandfather Joe Joyce for many years. Now, they´re having cold beers up there.
Thank you Joe for everything! I will never forget. Love you and miss you man.
Marie Louissaint
August 1, 2024
My Condolences to Debbie and the family. Joe hired me in 1985 as his secretary in his office at Frontage Rd. he was a great Boss to me. Since I left his office I never had a decent manager. He was the only one that cared for employees' wellbeing. Took care of employees with problems. Joe was the backbone of PWD.
I was at his wedding, a great family man and father.
Joe had a big heart and loved life. Thank you Joe for believing and encouraging me not to quit school and to get my management degree. I will never forget you. May you rest in Peace Mr. Joseph Patrick Canavan.
Marie Louissaint.
Charlie Deary
August 1, 2024
Joe was a great boss and a really good friend, no matter what!
I loved working with Joe (everyone did) we always had a good time. He was always really good to me and looked out for me. He was an all around good person. I know everyone who was lucky enough to know him, will miss him!
Rest in Peace Mr Joe
My condolences to your family
Your friend Charlie ( Buzz) Deary
Mark mooers
August 1, 2024
I sent a previous message not sure if it went through
When I first started 2001 joe was the superintendent
Great boss,as soon as he saw me how are you
Do you need anything
Let me know caring kind
Great to his staff
Stand up guy
With character
He wanted to make sure all the staffs family were fed
With overtime
Took care of them
And truly cared about their well being
He always believed in me and wanted to help me grow and move up the ladder
He used to say
I can I help you?
Overall great heart
I remember he was losing his voice in a snow storm one year and he said I am good.and continued working
Never gave up
Standup man
Determined
And perseverance ,
And always talked highly of his family
Kids and wife
He was a true family man
I think of and called him uncle joe that´s how I thought of him!
When he retired I missed
He always said I am around if you need anything
That´s how he was
Thank you joe for always
Looking out for me
Believing in me
And motivating me
I know you are with the lord
You were were good to others
Now god is going to be good to you
You will be in my heart
Rest In Peace with god !
Thank you again uncle joe!
One more thing I will never forgot when someone on the street asked a question,and he was around he would say ask the boss
Pointing at me !
I used to say thank you
Rest In Peace
I am praying for you and your family!
Robert Francis
July 31, 2024
My Condolences to Debbie and family. Joe was a great family man and friend. He was a dedicated employee and a loyal of the city of Boston who was admired by his coworkers and Department Heads. He would always greet you by saying "Is there anything I can help you with today". The Francis family have enjoyed Joe's company at conventions and trips to Florida. A true friend and great guy.
Tara Teehan
July 30, 2024
Mr. Canavan and Dad were a great duo during the public works days. Rest in peace.
Tara (Dooley) Teehan
James Considine, Charlestown
July 29, 2024
Thank you for your military service to our nation. May you rest in peace.
The Dawg
July 29, 2024
The Dawg
July 29, 2024
The Dawg
July 29, 2024
The Dawg
July 29, 2024
The Dawg
July 29, 2024
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Chris Aylward
July 29, 2024
One of the good guys in public service. Man of integrity. God bless joe and his family
Dick George 101st Airborne Division Newburyport
July 29, 2024
Requiescat in pace amica meus! Ave at que vale!
Linda Hayes
July 28, 2024
Dear Debbie, Corrine, Maura and family, We loved Joe, he was kind and helpful and always had a great sense of humor. He will be sorely missed by all his many friends.
Linda Hayes
Mike Rivera
July 28, 2024
Thank you for your service to our country, Sir. Job well done and it´s now time to Rest In Peace. May God Bless You and your family.
~Salute~
VFW Post 1012, Medford, MA
Robert Canavan
July 28, 2024
Debbie Corinne Maura &Family
I am so sorry the good Lord called your Husband and Dad to Heaven
We were so lucky to have him in our life's and Family
Joe was that special kind of guy that touched everyone he met
He loved his family so much always putting them first but always
having time to help others... Joe always watched out for Jack and me
we were his cousins but like brothers as he would always call us
asking you ok.. do you need anything.. if you do let me know and
he meant it He helped a lot of the guys in Southie get jobs that is just
who he was always there to help everyone knowing joe he would tell us
to smile remember the happy times he will be watching out for us all
from heaven.......Southie lost one of its Best...We love you Brother
Bobby Canavan
New Hampshire [Southie]
William McCormick
July 28, 2024
Joe was a great boss and a stand up guy
Worked for him during blizzard of 78
I moved from Southie many years ago but still look fondly of the times I ran into him. Semper Fi Marine you served well
Bill McCormick
Judy Bracken
July 28, 2024
Joe was a special person. He always had a smile and great demeanor. Joe was a pleasure to work with. No matter the issue, he always had a solution. My prayers are with his family. Judy Bracken
Showing 1 - 25 of 25 results
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Aug
1
Visitation
4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
O'Brien Funeral Home - South Boston146 Dorchester Street, Boston, MA 02127
Funeral services provided by:
O'Brien Funeral Home - South Boston146 Dorchester Street, Boston, MA 02127
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