Westfield – 
Joseph B. DeLeo, 91, died Thursday, December 15, 2016 in Baystate Medical Center. He was born in Waterbury, Ct on September 29, 1925 to the late Thomas and Catherine (Alphy) DeLeo. He grew up in Waterbury and attended local schools. He served in the U.S Marine Corps during WW-2 serving in Saipan, Tinian, Okinowa with the 2nd Marine Division and received a Purple Heart. He was one of the first troops ashore after signing of UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER. Joe received a B.A in Political Science in 1955 from Brooklyn College University in New York. He received his Juris Doctor from Western New England College in 1968 and was an instructor in the School of Law from 1971-1973. He was an instructor at Holyoke Community College in Criminal Law from 1975-1978. He was a member of the Federal District Court of Massachusetts and was president of the Westfield Bar Association for 2 years. Joe was a public defender in the Westfield District Court and was a moot Court Judge at Western New England School of Law. He was a member of the Westfield Kiwanis Club, a former member of the Board of Directors of the Westfield Boys and Girls Club. He was a former Chairman and member of the Board Trustees at Westfield State College. He was Co-Chair and former board member of Amelia Park Arena and Garden in Westfield. Joe also served on the City Council in Westfield and was a member of the Marine Corps League, Westfield River Valley Det. 141. Joe leaves his wife of 62 years Lillian (Merlino) DeLeo, his daughter Patricia Kopatz and her husband Willard H. Kopatz Jr. of Westfield, his sons David DeLeo of Windsor, CT, Douglas J. DeLeo and His wife Eva of Westfield. He also leaves his grandchildren Meagan Vogus, Cara and Bill Kopatz and Isabella DeLeo, Great-grand children Layne and Liam Vogus, and his sister Gloria Demunda of Watertown, CT and was predeceased by his brothers Nicholas and Thomas DeLeo. The funeral for Joe will be held on Tuesday at 11:30 from the Firtion-Adams Funeral Service, 76 Broad Street, Westfield, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 12:30 PM in Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church. Burial with military honors will follow in Pine Hill Cemetery, Westfield. Calling hours will be held at the funeral home on Monday from 4-7 pm. Donations in Memory of Joe may be made to The Clarke School for Hearing and Speech, 45 Round Hill Road, Northampton, MA 01060, or the Boy and Girls Club of Greater Westfield, 28 West Silver St. Westfield, MA 01085. Firtionadams.com
