Joseph Casella

Waltham – Mr. Joseph Casella, of Waltham, died Sunday, May 12, 2013 in Lahey Clinic in Burlington. He was 84. Joe was the beloved husband of 54 years to the late Shirley M. (Bryden) Casella.

He was born on February 20, 1929 in Waltham a son of the late Luigi and Carmella (Repisardi) Casella. He graduated from Waltham High School and continued his studies at the college level including many courses at Harvard University. He honorably served his country in the United States Army during World War II. Joe was a lifelong Waltham resident and proud to be from the community.

Joe worked for twenty eight years as a police officer for the Registry of Motor Vehicles which later merged with the Massachusetts State Police, retiring in 1993. During that time, Joe continued to drive his signature Mack truck for thirty years with Fiorello Fuel Company and the Brewer Trucking Company for fifteen years before his retirement in 2007. He loved driving his signature Mack truck that he put over a million miles on.

Joe was a member of the National Rifle Association and looked forward to his annual trips to Camp Perry in Ohio for marksman competitions for which he earned many trophies.

A farmer at heart, Joe planted his own vegetable and flower garden from seeds he grew in his own greenhouse every year since 1965 at his home, sharing his vegetables with everyone.

Joe touched many lives with his generosity and will always be remembered as the best husband, father, and grandfather. He adored his family and enjoyed spoiling each of them. He is and always will be their hero.

Joe was predeceased by his daughter, Cheryl A.Casella; his siblings, Mary Lucas, Ida Welch, Angelina McLellan, James and Salvatore Casella.

Joe leaves his children Joseph P. Casella of Shirley, Charles L. Casella of Lowell, Cathy M. Mirabal of Gales Ferry, Connecticut, Richard J. Casella of Baltimore, Maryland, Karen L. Torres and her husband, Alan, of Waltham and Lisa J. Hanley and her husband, William, of Waltham; fourteen grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; his siblings, Louis Casella and his wife, Mary, of Townsend, Carmello Casella and his wife, Tilda, of Waltham, Frank Casella and his wife, Louise, of Waltham and Rose Palumbo of Fayetteville, Georgia; several nieces and nephews, and his very pampered cat, Baby Kitty Luna.

Family and friends will honor and remember Joe's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Thursday May 16th, from 4 to 8 p.m. and again on Friday morning when his funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 43 Nagog Park, Suite 110, Acton, MA 01720.