Joseph F. Casazza

Joseph F. Casazza, 76, of Wakefield passed away on Friday, September 10th at his home surrounded by his loving wife and children after a courageous battle with Cancer.

Joe was born in Arlington, MA. on February 28, 1934; he was the son of the late Joseph and Frances (LoPresti) Casazza. He is survived by his wife Miriam (Grieve) of 54 years. Joe Graduated from Arlington High School and Northeastern University School of Engineering. He began his long professional career of public service as a co-op student working for the town of Arlington before moving to Wakefield and becoming Town Engineer, then interim Public Works Director. In 1966, Joe was hired as the first ever Commissioner of Public Works in the City of Lynn, MA, until 1968 when the City of Boston called him to head their D.P.W. Joe established an outstanding reputation for managing the Department by providing distinctive leadership throughout his career, as evidence by the successful coordination of forces when dealing with snow removal, particularly the "Blizzard of '78". His career spanned three Mayoral administrations during which he consistently provided dedicated and loyal service to the City of Boston for more than 39 years. Joe was past President of both the New England chapter and National chapter of the American Public Works Association. He was a registered professional engineer in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and was known for his integrity when dealing with day to day issues. He retired in January of 2007, and was honored by the City of Boston when it named its DPW Building on Frontage Rd. "The Joseph F. Casazza Public Works Facility".

Joseph and his wife, Mimi, of 54 years, shared time between their Wakefield home and their cottage in York Beach, Maine. Joe devoted his life to spending time with his family. He also loved to fish in York Harbor on his boat, the Papa C.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son Stephen A. Casazza and his wife Kathleen of North Reading, his son Joseph Michael Casazza and his wife Mary of Derry, NH, his daughter Cynthia J. Jewell, and her husband Robert of Manchester, NH, his daughter Joan A. Thomas of Wakefield, his daughter Judith A. Bayers and her husband Robert of Oxford, his daughter Christine M. Good and her husband Michael of Newburyport, his sister Ann M. Roche and her husband Paul of South Burlington, VT, and his aunt Gloria Ringland of Cape Coral, FL. He is also survived by 17 beloved grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be held from the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale ave. Wakefield on Wednesday at 9 a.m. followed by a funeral mass in St. Florence's Church, 47 Butler ave. Wakefield, MA at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday from 3 – 8 p.m. Donations may be made to Dr. Andrew Zhu Cancer Research Fund, c/o Development Office, Massachusetts General Hospital, 165 Cambridge St., Suite 600, Boston, MA. 02114.
Read Joseph Casazza's Obituary and Guestbook on www.mcdonaldfs.com.

Visitation

McDonald Funeral Home
19 Yale Ave.
Wakefield, MA US 01880
Tuesday, September 14, 2010, 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Service

St. Florence Church
47 Butler Ave.
Wakefield, MA US 01880
Wednesday, September 15, 2010, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Cemetery

Lakeside Cemetery
Corner of North Ave. & Beacon St.
Wakefield, MA US 01880
Wednesday, September 15, 2010, 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM