WESTFIELD – Joseph F. Wise died Tuesday, November 27. Born in Springfield, MA, he was the son of Samuel J and Rose E Wise.
He also lived in Pittsfield before settling in Westfield. He was associated with his father and brother in the tire business for 10 years. A longtime Realtor, Joe was the owner of the Westfield Realty Company. He was a member of the Westfield Housing Authority for over 30 years serving as Executive Director for 25 years during which time he oversaw the development and management of 900 units of public housing retiring in 1985.
A Marine Veteran of WWII, Joe participated in the battles for Bouganville and Okinawa. At war’s end he landed in Japan for the Japanese surrender. Joe was a Past Commander and life member of Westfield Post 124 American Legion. He was also awarded life memberships in Apremont Post 1847 Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans. Joe was a member of the Marine Corps League and a life member of the Sons of Erin. He was a former long time 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, an original board member of the Westfield Council on Aging, and a member of the Salvation Army.
Joe was predeceased by his wife, Jean Cavanaugh Wise; his brother, John M Wise; his sisters, Mary E Gillis and Jean M Gorman, and his granddaughter, Nancy Searle Cavanaugh, “His little white haired girl”. He leaves a step-son, Derek J Cavanaugh of Boston; grandson. Derek “Jake” Cavanaugh of Sozhou China; granddaughters, Jessica Palm and Laura Cavanaugh of Beverly MA; sisters-in-law, Mary Lou Wise of Columbus Ohio and Mary Platenik of Fayetteville, NY and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Monday, December 3rd at 8:15 a.m. from the Robert E. Cusack Funeral Home, 94 Main Street (Route 20), followed by a funeral mass at 9:15 a.m. in St. Mary’s Church, Bartlett Street, both in Westfield. Committal services will be held at 11:00 a.m. at the MA Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery Chapel, Main Street, Agawam. Visiting hours are Sunday, December 2nd from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s Development Fund, Bartlett Street, Westfield, MA 01085 or the Nancy S. Cavanaugh Endowment Fund c/o Westfield State University Foundation, P.O. Box 1630, Westfield, MA 01086.
