Joseph Christopher Leach

Joseph Christoper Leach, 57, of Lakeville, passed away at home on August 28, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer. His larger-than-life persona and humor will not be forgotten. Joe was born March 13,1967 in Chelsea, MA. He was the son of the late Belmiro Tavares, Jr. and Victoria Leach. After graduating from Bridgewater- Raynham Regional High School in 1985 he attended Mass Art in Boston. Joe married Donna (Grigas), his high school sweetheart, in 1992. Together they moved from Massachusetts to Rockford Illinois where they raised their two children Tyler and Nichole. He was a self-employed Graphic Designer and Artist and Director of Youth Services at Ken-Rock Community Center in Illinois. Joseph was also a volunteer coach earing him the Joyce Davis Memorial Volunteer of the Year award in 2004 as well as a spot on the Sports Volunteer Coaches wall of fame in 2013.
Joe, affectionately known as Big Joe, Jumpin Joe, Big Kahuna, Coach and his favorite Papa had many loves and interests. His love for family and friends took up the most space in his heart. He also loved skiing, golfing, watching sports and traveling. He was a foodie and his bar (or as we say in Massachusetts bah) pizza is legendary. He loved art, humor and a good pun. He was extremely funny and would do anything to make others smile. His smile was larger than life and literally filled his entire face from ear to ear! His love of Corvettes drew him to become a member of the New England Corvette Club. He was also a member of the Bridgewater Men's Softball League until his diagnoses. He was passionate about coaching youth sports, coaching his children as well as countless other children over 20+ years. Many of the players and their families remained in touch with him always affectionately referring to him as Coach.
He was generous to a fault, a pussy cat at heart and yet he rarely sugar-coated anything. To quote Winston Churchill: "He was a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma." The list of interests goes on, but I will stop here because in case you cannot tell, he was at heart a true artist. He approached life as one giant piece of artwork.
He returned to Massachusetts in 2017 to live with his partner of 12 years Tammy and her son Conor where he remained until his death. He fought the battle as he lived his life with courage and humor.
Joe is survived by his partner Tammy and her son Conor of Lakeville, his mother, Victoria Leach and her partner Larry of Indiana. His son Tyler and his wife Morgan of Georgia, his daughter Nichole and her fiancée William Hall the 3rd of Illinois, his 4 grandchildren Jett, Aston, Daxx and Kellen, his brother Martin (Marty) Bozoian and his wife Sonja and their sons Tristan and Dylan of Georgia, his cousin Jenn DeMariano of Rockland, as well as many other cousins, aunts, uncles and close friends.
A memorial visitation is scheduled for Thursday, September 19, 2024, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Dahlborg-MacNevin Funeral Home, 280 Bedford Street, Lakeville, MA 02347. A funeral home service will be held on Friday, September 20, 2024, at 11:00 am at Dahlborg-MacNevin Funeral Home, 280 Bedford Street, Lakeville, MA 02347
A scholarship fund will be established in loving memory of Joseph to be awarded to a graduating student of Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School who will be attending art school.
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