Joseph J. Meehan

Joseph J. Meehan, 94, of East Longmeadow, beloved husband of the late Grace M. (Gardner) Meehan, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 17, 2017 at Mercy Medical Center. Born in Springfield on March 6, 1923, he was the son of the late William H. and Lena V. Meehan. Joe graduated from Cathedral High School, Class of 1941, and went on to serve during World War II in the Army Air Corps as a trained B-24 waist gunner and an airplane and engine mechanic. After the war Joe was employed by New England Telephone Company where he enjoyed a long 39-year career as a cable splicer and right-of-way agent before he retired in 1985. When his children were young, Joe volunteered his time as a leader with the Indian Guides and was active in the East Longmeadow Recreation Association for 13 years as a baseball manager in the Charles Turner League for 7 - 9 year olds. Joe emphasized defensive skills for his players stressing with every pitch to think “what will I do if the ball comes to me”. His approach created consistent winning teams and his 1963 team won the league championship with a 10 - 0 record. Joe and Grace lived in East Longmeadow for 60 years and celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary prior to Grace’s passing in February 2016. Joe and Grace enjoyed square dancing and ballroom dancing, and would often attend the After 5 Tea Dances in Springfield. They enjoyed taking family vacations at Hampton Beach during the summertime. In their later years, they traveled out west to the National Parks and would often vacation during the wintertime in Florida. Joe leaves to cherish his memory his son William S. Meehan and his wife Nancy of Wakefield, RI; his daughter Cynthia J. Meehan of Palm Beach Gardens, FL; his loving grandchildren Kara Goldenberg and her husband Robert, Alyssa Kulle, Meghan Schreiber and her husband David, Michael Beltrandi, and Karen Keppel and her husband Scott; and four great grandchildren, Darren, Willa and Mason Beltrandi and Henry Goldenberg. Besides his wife, he was predeceased by his five siblings, brothers William Gerald, John Bernard, and Robert Meehan; and sisters Eleanor Nolan and Marguerite Meehan. Joe’s family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 22nd from 4-7 PM at the Forastiere Smith Funeral Home, 220 North Main St., East Longmeadow. His Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, March 23rd at 10 AM at the Funeral Home. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Hillcrest Park Cemetery, Springfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Soldier’s Home of Holyoke, 110 Cherry St., Holyoke, MA 01040. For more information, please visit www.forastiere.com.

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