Joe considers himself a man with a sense of humor and is described by his family as funny, loyal, Irish proud and a little picky. He enjoys watching baseball with the guys, playing cards – poker and hearts, and attends Christ the King church most weekends.
Joe was born and raised in Cambridge, Massachusetts by three parents: his mother, an intelligent, hard-working elementary school teacher, his father-a just and fair-minded police officer, and his grandmother, who lived in the upper unit of a two-decker home.
Growing up, Joe spent a lot of time with his grandmother: listening to her stories, eating her cooking, and identifying with her loyalty to her homeland, Ireland. She had escaped a famine, and built a life in America, where she raised her family on traditional soda bread and simple recipes; many made with delicious potatoes.
Joe’s grandmother had never forgotten where she came from. She had also never forgotten her faith. In fact, one of Joe’s favorite memories of her is walking his grandmother to mass and being an altar boy at her church.
Joe had a deep respect for his father, and a desire to emulate his morales and values. One fatherly kindness Joe remembers fondly: when he was seventeen, his parents purchased a home in Saugus, Massachusetts, but his father commuted for a full year so Joe could graduate from school in Cambridge.
When Joe graduated he made his living in food distribution sales. A couple of years after moving to Saugus, Joe met Joan, a beautiful, Italian, nurse at a Greek dance. Joe soon asked her to be his wife and after marrying, they started the family that produced two girls, one boy; and at present count, eight grandchildren.
For thirty years, Joe traveled the roads throughout New England and half of New York to sell food for business use, and eventually directed a large sales team himself. Joe and Joan had always planned to live on the Cape after retirement. Strategically, they purchased a home in Sandwich and lived there over twenty years before downsizing to a condo in Mashpee.
With a twinkle in his eye, Joe described wonderful friend and family vacations at his Cape home – all without his having to travel! With satisfaction, Joe expressed pleasure that his children and grandchildren emulate the fine family values that he and Joan brought them up with.
Joe is now making Decatur House his new home. When you welcome this proud man, of particular taste, remember, Joe isn’t picky. He just remembers where he came from.
