Cartwright Funeral Homes: Obituaries

McELROY, Joseph Arthur, of Randolph, MA died January 2, 2010. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 60 years, Edythe H. (Hunsader) McElroy. Joseph was born in Fall River, MA on February 8, 1921. He was the son of English and Scottish immigrants, Phyllis Carr and Joseph A. McElroy, who worked in the textile mills and settled in Fall River in the early 1900’s. Joe was stepson of Germaine LePage, and brother to deceased family members Ada Long, Grace Rioux, Margaret Buba, Phyllis LePage, Marie Rosanna Lescault, Leo LePage, Louis LePage and Lillian Turek. Joe was the brother-in-law to deceased family members Nannie Hunsader, Alban Hunsader, Vivian Hostak, Verna Gilson, Yves Hunsader, Maurelda Beck, Leon Hunsader, Ursula Cmeyla, Mildred Shaw, Roland Hunsader, Ethel Paulbeck, Hugo Hunsader, and Mercedes Kainski. Joe was a 1938 graduate of Durfee High School in Fall River, MA. He attended St. Patrick School along with his four older sisters Ada, Grace, Margaret and Phyllis. Joe’s attendance at Durfee Technical School and work at Vought Sikorsky Aircraft was interrupted by World War II in March 1942. He voluntarily served with the 23rd U.S. Naval Construction Battalion, popularly known as the Seabees, on Kodiak Island in Alaska, and earned the opportunity to be trained as a Mechanical engineer at the University of Wisconsin. During his tenure at UW-Madison Joe met his wife, Edythe, a Cadet nursing student, and also played quarterback on the College football team under Coach Harry Stuhldreher, known as one of the Notre Dame Four Horsemen. He was assigned duty to the Pacific Theatre on board the U.S.S. Cortland (APA-75) in 1945. This ship transported Marine troops and equipment in the Philippines, Marshall Islands, China, Hawaii and San Diego. He was also a veteran of the China War. Joseph was a lifetime member of the Randolph Chapter of the Disabled American Veterans. After the War, Joe took full advantage of the GI Bill and received his engineering education in the Mechanical, Civil and Geological Engineering Sciences; graduating from the University of Oklahoma in 1950. After working in the oil fields of Texas, his wife and twin sons, Joe and Paul, moved back to Massachusetts. Jeffrey was born in Framingham, MA and the family soon settled in Randolph in 1953. Soon to follow were the other children: Jocelyn (died young), Virginia, Christopher, Jill and Bryant. The house in Randolph was full of children and laughter for many years. Joseph was a 57-year resident of Randolph and an active, respected community leader. He was a Town Meeting Member for 46 years, the Town Fence Viewer (a colonial position established in 1793) for over 30 years. He has been the Chairman of the Board of the DPW for the past 13 years, one of three commissioners on the Tri-water Board for Braintree, Holbrook and Randolph, and the Randolph representative on the Joint Water Board for Randolph and Holbrook. Joe was a member of St. Mary Church in Randolph for 57 years. He was chairman of the Building Committee that constructed an upper church structure in 1988. He served on many church committees and as an usher at weekly mass for many years. Joseph was a multi-disciplined Senior Civil Engineer, retired from the Boston office of the engineering and architectural consulting firm of HNTB. Prior to joining HNTB, Joe worked for 34 years for the New England Division Army Corps of Engineers, where he served in the dual capacity of Chief, Concrete Section and Director of the Division Laboratory. Joseph had many professional affiliations. He was one of the charter members in establishing the American Concrete Institute’s Boston Chapter. As President, he was instrumental in establishing ACI certification of concrete inspectors. He was a Fellow of the National Society of the American Concrete Institute. He was also a charter member of the Mass Construction Industry Board and served on the Board of Accreditation of laboratory and key personnel. Other affiliations included: Fellow & Past President of the Society of American Military Engineers; Member, International Research Council Joints and Bearings; and Member, ASCE Underground Technology Research Council.
He is survived by his seven children: Joseph McElroy (Mary) of PA, Paul M. McElroy (Patricia) of OR, Jeffrey B. McElroy (Laura) of CA, Virginia C. McElroy Kohlmann (Jerry) of WI, Christopher L. McElroy (Kathy) of MA, Jill M. McElroy (Gordon) of RI and Bryant P. McElroy (Mercy) of NY.
Joseph is survived also by eight grandchildren: Jennifer Duval, Amy Kavanah, Justin McElroy, Mollie McElroy, Joseph Kohlmann, Jocelyn McElroy, Margaret Kohlmann, and Silvia McElroy. He is also survived by great-grandchild, Matthew Duval. In addition, many nieces and nephews graced Joseph’s life. Reposing at the Cartwright Funeral Home , 419 N. Main St. Randolph (Rte 28) until 9:15 AM on Wednesday followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM in St. Mary Church, Randolph. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours Tuesday 4:00 - 8:00 PM . Burial in St. Mary Cemetery, Randolph

View Sympathy Messages