Joseph T. Steede

Waltham – Retired Waltham Fire Chief Joseph T. Steede of Waltham died Monday, May 30, 2005 at his home. He was 78. Born in Waltham, a son of the late Waltham Fire Chief John F. and Catherine A. (Cullen) Steede, he was a lifelong resident. He graduated from Waltham High School in 1943 and after that joined the U.S. Coast Guard, serving until the end of World War II in 1946. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1950 and joined the Waltham Fire Department in 1953. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1957, Captain in 1963 and to Deputy Chief in 1965 serving in that capacity until 1984 when he was promoted to Chief of the department. He retired in 1990. Chief Steede had been a former member of the Massachusetts Fire Chiefs Association and the International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 866. He also had been a member of the PFC John M. Sullivan VFW Post No. 10334 in Waltham, the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Watertown, Woodland Golf Club in Newton and the Loyal Order of Moose, Lodge No. 1018 in Waltham where he had been a past governor. He leaves his sisters and brothers, Jean M. French of Weston, Marilyn P. Eagan of Fort Myers, Florida, John R. Steede of Otisfield, Maine and Kevin R. Steede of Confluence, Pennsylvania and many nieces and nephews. He was also a brother of the late David C. Steede. The Funeral will be held Saturday at 9 a.m. 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 10 a.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Waltham. Visiting hours are Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to Mooseheart, c/o Moose Charities, 155 South International Drive, Mooseheart, IIinois 50539-1100.