Joseph A. Lenza

Waltham - Mr. Joseph A. 'Mickey' Lenza of Waltham died Wednesday, October 13, 2004 at his home. He was 80. Born in Waltham, a son of the late Salvatore and Elizabeth (Lynch) Lenza, he was a lifelong resident. Until his retirement, he owned and operated Lenza Oil Terminals and Main & Dowcett Bros. Oil Company. During World War II he served with the 150th Combat Engineer Battalion with Patton's Third Army. He fought during the Battle of the Bulge and was awarded a Purple Heart for wounds received in December, 1944. He also earned five battle stars and a Presidential Unit Citation. He was a member of the 150th Combat Engineer Organization and the Battle of the Bulge Organization. He also was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, member of the Disabled American Veterans, and member and past commander of the Joseph F. Hill American Legion Post No. 156 in Waltham. He leaves his wife of 56 years, Phyllis M. (Dowcett) Lenza; his children, Michael J. Lenza and his wife Jane of Waltham, James H. Lenza of Florence, AL, Richard E. Lenza and his wife Linda of Liberty, MO and Nancy I. Lenza of Waltham; his grandchildren, Kathryn Dexter and her husband Ryan of Millis, Elizabeth Hannon and her husband David of Needham, Jay Lenza of Waltham and Emily Lenza of Liberty, MO; his great-granddaughter, Amelia Dexter and several nieces and nephews. He was also a brother of the late Edward J. Lenza, Sr., Helen Fahey, Anna Rivers and Louise Kelly. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral at 12 noon Saturday from The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham followed by a Funeral Mass in Saint Mary’s Church, 133 School Street, Waltham at 1 p.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Waltham. Visiting hours are Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to the N.E. Shelter for Homeless Vets, 17 Court St., Boston, MA 02108 or to HealthCare Dimensions Hospice, 48 Woerd Ave., Waltham, MA 02453.