Joe, you will always be in our hearts. We will never forget your contagious smile and your great personality.

We will always remember the White Mountains, pool parties, and times at Vicki’s.

Rest in peace, Joe. You have left a great legacy, and you are surely so proud of your beautiful family.

Love, Elaine & Wayne

We will always remember going over to Joe’s house for great pool parties, barbecues, and sitting around the fire. We love Joe and his family.

— Vivian & Vinny

Snow angels in the backyard (Tricia walking into the door).

Fun times at the pool (Vicky jumping in with her clothes on).

So many great memories at the pool and inside the house. Joe made cornhole boards and taught me how to play, and I’ve loved the game ever since. He probably should have sold them.

— Vicky, Kayla, and Tricia

At our wedding, Joe sat next to my father, who is not the easiest person to carry a conversation with. Joe talked with my father throughout the entire reception.

— Karen & Chuck O’Connor

Poker!

I travel for work and often have meetings and tradeshows in Las Vegas. I don’t gamble or play cards much anymore, but when I do, I still think of Joe and the O’Connor family.

I was one of the many “strays” the O’Connors adopted back in the day. Joe taught me how to win people’s money at Texas Hold’em, and he always made me laugh. He was truly the life of the party, and I’m grateful for the time I spent with him while living under the O’Connors’ roof.

— Billy Silvestri

I remember when Joe and I were doing landscaping at their house in Peabody. Joe was carrying boulders from the woods by my orders. I was the boss — he was my assistant. We were quite a team. I loved him so!

— Joan

I’ve known Joe for a long time. His greeting to me was always, “Hello, my man,” with a big hug.

We always had fishing competitions, and he never missed a chance to remind me that he was beating me in the fish count.

Joe, you always made me laugh. You will be missed.

— Gary Kalloch

Simply put, Joe was unforgettable. If Joe was involved, there was always an adventure, a story, and lots of laughter & love.  The O'Connor family made the Dixon family vacations at Boulder Lodge much more fun. Never a dull moment boating & fishing on the lake, climbing Mt. Major, playing cards at night or who could forget playing cornhole for hours, looking for bargains at The Huggins Street Fair and "clean out the refrigerator night" before we headed home. Several incidents stand out. Dorothy somehow ending up in the fish pond at Castle in the Clouds, when Joe was navigating the paddle boat. And when both families rented jet skis and took our boats out to play in the lake.  Joe & Bruce took off on the jet skis circling  Rattlesnake Island while the kids watched in disbelief. A wonderful day to remember! Thanks for the memories Joe! Sending sympathy and love from our family to yours.❤️

Bernice, Bruce, Brian & Brenda

Uncle Joe was the fun uncle — the kind everyone hopes to have, and I was lucky enough to have him as mine.

Growing up in upstate New York, some of my favorite memories were visiting my cousins in Boston. Those visits always felt like summer at its best: long days by the pool, rollerblading in freshly paved parking lots, board games, video games, and whatever new activity Uncle Joe had dreamed up to keep us laughing and busy. He had a way of making everything feel like an adventure.

Two memories stand out most. One was when he took me out on a dirt bike when I was very little. We both had helmets on- which was good because we crashed. I fell off, pulled off my helmet, and told him, while he was panicking, “Well, it’s a good thing you wear these.” I still remember the relief on his face and the way he laughed, got me home safely, and turned a scary moment into one filled with humor and calm. That day taught me bravery — and how to laugh things off — a lesson I’ve carried with me my whole life.

The other memory is Uncle Joe as Santa Claus during the holidays. Even as the youngest cousin, I always knew it was him. His laugh, his energy, and his unmistakable personality couldn’t be hidden by any costume. He brought so much joy into every room he entered.

Uncle Joe’s spirit was infectious, and his presence made life more fun just by being there. I’ll carry those memories — and that laughter — with me always. ❤️🪽