Westfield – Joseph John Paradise, 89, of Westfield, MA passed away peacefully on March 10, 2017 at home surrounded by his family. Joseph was born in Milford, Massachusetts to Louise (Andreola) and Teodorico Paradiso on February 4, 1928, the fourth of five children. Joe graduated from Milford High School. His love and fascination with aviation led him to join the Civil Air Patrol during the second World War. Joe went on to study engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with an eye toward aviation engineering, before deciding that his calling lay elsewhere. Joe entered the Congregation of the Clerics of St. Viator in Arlington Heights, Illinois and was ordained as a priest in the Roman Catholic Church. He earned his B.S. degree from Loyola University and an M.Ed from DePaul University in Chicago. His service to his order led him to Las Vegas, Nevada where he was a much-admired priest, counselor, as well as a high school math and physics teacher. Joe eventually left the priesthood, but continued his life’s work of serving and loving others by earning a Masters of Social Work degree from Arizona State University. He embarked on a notable career, first as a counselor at the Stewart Indian Boarding School for Native Americans in Carson City, Nevada and then later as a Social Worker for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Joe had a genuine passion and concern for the welfare of the Native American tribes he served, and his career took him to many beautiful parts of the Western United States, serving in many capacities in Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon over several decades. Joe’s untiring work on behalf of the Native American tribes he served was recognized at several points throughout his career. He eventually retired in the seaside town of Newport, Oregon before moving back home to Massachusetts to be closer to family. Joe had a life long love of both people and nature, he loved to go camping in the beautiful state parks of the Western U.S., and found that being in the woods brought him a tremendous sense of peace.
Joe is the beloved husband of 21 years to Rebecca S. Murray, who shared his passion of serving others. He is the loving father to his children from his first marriage to Josephine Davis, his daughter Mary Louise Paradise Moore of London, England; and his son Theodore J. Paradise of West Springfield, MA. Joe was devoted to his 5 grandchildren, and cherished by many family members who will miss him dearly. Joe will be remembered for his generous heart, his concern for social justice, and his great love of others. He always saw the good, the best, in everyone. Joe is predeceased by his brother Peter, and his sisters Clara and Connie. He is survived by his brother Michael “Tony” Paradiso, of Woodbridge, California.
Calling hours will be 4pm to 7pm on Wednesday, March 14, and a memorial service will be held at 1pm on Thursday, March 15th, both at the Episcopal Church of the Atonement at 36 Court Street, in Westfield, MA. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Joseph’s memory to the Episcopal Church of Atonement, 36 Court Street, Westfield, MA 01085. Westfield Funeral Home and Cremation has been entrusted with these arrangements. Please visit www.westfieldfuneralhome.com for Joseph’s memorial page.
