Joseph Arthur Curnane, Jr. was born on January 28, 1954. He was the third child and only son of Joseph A. Curnane Sr. and Rosemary (Murdock) Curnane. At the Curnane home, to his parents, sisters, and all of his cousins, he was forever known as Joey.

Joe went to the Immaculate Conception School in Everett from grades 1-8. Even at a young age Joe had strong opinions and expressed them with conviction. Joe went on to St. Thomas More High School in Connecticut. Everyone who knew Joe saw how bright and intelligent he was. He retained every bit of knowledge or information that ever came his way. He used facts and information to tell stories. He was a gifted storyteller and he had a great sense of humor.

After High School, Joe enlisted in the United States Army during the Vietnam era. He was an Infantryman and a paratrooper. He served his country while he was stationed in Korea and West Berlin in the 6th Infantry Brigade. Joe truly enjoyed his days in the Army. It was there he developed his taste for country music. In the Army, Joe learned to speak German and went on to speak it fluently. His duties included guarding the Nazi war criminals at the Spandau Prison; he patrolled the Berlin Wall, and manned the guard post at Checkpoint Charlie. When he was discharged he had earned the rank of sergeant and platoon leader of an Infantry squad. He was proud of his military service. He was equally proud of his cousin Tommy's service too. When Tommy came back from Vietnam, Joe arranged to have an Angelina's large Italian sub waiting for him!

After the Army, Joe graduated from St. Francis College in Biddeford, Maine with a bachelor's degree in history. He then furthered his education and graduated from the New England Institute of Anatomy in Kenmore Square and obtained his license as a Funeral Director. He then worked two jobs for many years, for both the family funeral home and newspaper.

Joe worked on many political campaigns during his life. He worked for John and George McCarthy, Edward Markey, George Keverian, Ted Kennedy and many other state and local politicians. For many years Joe and his family worked together to organize the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick dinner. This was a great annual event for the Everett community; it was a tradition that Joe Sr. started in 1952, when Senator John F. Kennedy was the featured guest speaker. As Joe took it on, he always met the challenge to seat many politicians at the head table.

It was politics that made Joe a very lucky man. In the fall of 1985, Joe met Liz at a political fundraiser event. It was love at first sight, and they were married soon after they met. They spent many years together in both Everett and Melrose. He was a wonderful step-father to Jen through the years and to her husband Jay. He also cherished his three year old grand-daughter Olivia.

Joe had quite a few different jobs throughout his life. They included working at a tailor shop, Touraine's Paint Factory, and as a MassDot toll collector. Joe always brought his great sense of humor to work. To this day many of his former coworkers recall many funny stories and jokes.

Joe worked over 30 years in the city of Everett, first as a funeral director for the Curnane Funeral Home. He also served on the Board of Corporators for Eagle Bank for many years. But, most Everett citizens know Joe as continuing the family tradition as the publisher of the Everett Leader Publishing, Inc. The paper was published every Thursday for over 100 years.

Not a day would go by when Joe did not have a visitor at 28 Church Street. He made time for them all. Joe had access to many government and business leaders. He helped many people make connections to find jobs or apartments. He was always willing to help someone in need. Joe did this very quietly and often anonymously. Helping people was just something he did; it was a big part of who he was. He was much more comfortable behind the scenes than in front of the crowd. Sometimes he even preferred to go unnoticed. But in all of the days ahead he will always be present in our hearts.

Joseph Arthur Curnane, Jr. of Melrose, formerly of Everett, died peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on Friday, February 3, 2017 in the Melrose Wakefield Hospital. He was 63 years old. Joe was born in Everett and resided in Melrose with his beloved wife, Elizabeth "Liz" (Bidgood) Curnane with whom he shared over 30 years of marriage. The devoted son of the late Joseph A. Curnane and Rosemary (Murdock) Curnane. Dear and devoted step-father of Jennifer DiDonato Riley and her husband, John "Jay" of Amesbury. Loving brother of Rosemary Curnane Catterson and her late husband, Paul of Melrose, Margaret Hahesy and her husband, John of Melrose and Anne Curnane White Kiesling and her husband, Paul of Lawrence. Cherished grandfather of Olivia Grace Riley. Joe is also survived by many nieces, nephews.

and cousins. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Joe's visiting hours in the Cafasso & Sons Funeral Home, 65 Clark St. (Corner of Main St.) EVERETT, Wednesday, February 8 from 4-8 p.m. His funeral will be from the funeral home at 10 a.m. followed by his funeral Mass in the Immaculate Conception Church, 487 Broadway, Everett, at 11 a.m. A private burial with U. S. Military Honors will be at the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Everett High School, 100 Elm St. Everett, MA 02149, in Memory of Joseph Arthur Curnane, Jr., Scholarship Fund.