Joseph P. Gandolfo

Joseph "Joe" Peter Gandolfo, Jr., lifelong resident of Waltham, and in his later years, Escondido, California and East Bridgewater, passed away peacefully after a brief illness surrounded by his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was 88.

Joe was born in Watertown on Feb 19, 1934, the Son of late Joseph P. Gandolfo, Sr. and late Marguerite (Barbato) Gandolfo. He was a graduate of Watertown High with the class of 1951.

He is survived by his beloved wife Josephine "Josie" (Cuccinello) Gandolfo of 65 years. Joe and Josie married in November of 1956. Shortly after their marriage, Joe was drafted into the Army where he served proudly and honorable for two years in Maryland during the Korean War. Upon returning from the service, he and his father opened Wal-Lex Hardware where he spent 40 years of his life. He was also a long-time board member of Standard Hardware Distributers of Merrimac, NH.

Joe and Josie enjoyed playing golf and were long-time members of the Oakley Country Club in Watertown and later in life, at the Escondido Country Club in Escondido, CA. When Joe was not working at Wal-Lex Hardware, he could be found on the golf course, playing men's league hockey with Jack, or spending time with the kids. He loved spending time at their summer home on Humarock Beach in Scituate. He spent every weekend during the summers walking the beach, collecting sea glass, teaching the kids how to fish and clam, and enjoyed endless games of cribbage with his family. He also looked forward to quieter times when he would make Josie a martini, take it out to her on the deck, and the two would relax and watch the sunset over the ocean. Joe called Humarock his 'slice of heaven'. He was also a Bruins season ticket holder and enjoyed date nights with Josie, cheering on the 'Big Bad Bruins'. When not active Joe would be found surrounded by his wife and family at Sunday dinners, watching golf, the Patriots, the Bruins, or a Western.

In addition to leaving his beloved wife Josie, he was the devoted father of Cheryl (Gandolfo) MacInnis and her husband Peter T. MacInnis of Newport, RI; Robert Joseph Gandolfo and his wife Lorinda (McLellan) Gandolfo of Waltham, Ma; Deborah (Gandolfo) Bibbo and her husband Raffaele Bibbo, Jr of Waltham; Joseph (Joey) Gandolfo of Koloa, HI and Jennifer (Gandolfo) Kontos and her husband Jason Kontos of Sudbury, MA. He was a loving and Cherished Grandfather to Ryan MacInnis and his wife Christina; Raffaele Bibbo, III and his wife Helen; Gabriele Chiem and her husband Matt; Gina Gandolfo; Robert Gandolfo, Jr; Caesare Bibbo and his wife Brieana; Allyson MacInnis; Michael Gandolfo; Rocco Kontos and Niko Kontos. He was also an adoring great grandfather to: Joslyn Janson; Valerie Janson; Juliana Chiem and Sophia Chiem. He is also survived by his sister Janet Kendall and many nieces, nephews and cousins, and was predeceased by his brother, Robert Gandolfo.

Family and friends will honor and remember Joseph's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Sunday, September 18th from 2 to 5 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Monday, September 19th before leaving in procession to Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, 880 Trapelo Road, Waltham where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Westview Cemetery, Lexington.

Donations in his memory may be made to:
Dementia Society of America
PO Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901
Email: https://dementiasociety.charityproud.org/donate