Joseph Navarro

Joseph Austin Navarro, 83, longtime resident of Topsfield Road, died peacefully Saturday, November 6, 2010 at the New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, NC following an extended illness. Born October 18, 1927 in Saugus, he was the son of the late Joseph and Edith (DiPietro) Navarro. He was raised in Saugus and graduated from Saugus High School. He enlisted in the United States Navy and served aboard the U.S.S. Providence and the U.S.S. Portsmouth during World War II in the Mediterranean theatre. He later graduated from Burdette School of Business and was employed by Raytheon for several years. In 1970, Governor Sargent appointed him to a position in the Dept. of Community Affairs, which he held for many years. He moved to Ipswich in 1959 with his former wife Carolyn Butler Navarro and raised their family here. He served three terms on the Board of Selectman from 1966 to 1975 and was the Chairman of the Board from 1971 until 1974. He also served as Chairman of the Waterways Ways Study Committee in 1977. He was a member of the Staff Sergeant Arthur F. DeFranzo VFW Post 2346 in Saugus. He enjoyed many summers fishing and clamming on his boat and camping at White Lake with his family. He is survived by his three children, two daughters Terry Manning and her husband Larry of Ipswich and Sandy Navarro of Ipswich and one son, James Navarro of New York. He is also survived by three granddaughters, Nicole and Robin Moody of Wilmington, NC and Stacey Moody of Ipswich, one great-granddaughter, Sophia Buckingham of Wilmington, NC, one brother, Robert Navarro and his wife Nancy of Saco, Maine, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. A graveside service will be held at Riverside Cemetery in Saugus on Saturday Nov. 27 at 11a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours will be Friday Nov. 26 from 5-8 p.m. at the Whittier Porter Funeral Home, 6 High Street, Ipswich. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718. For directions or to send a condolence please visit www.whittier-porter.com