Joseph W. Bishop

GARDNER - Joseph W. “Joe” Bishop, Jr. passed away peacefully on Friday, April 14, 2017 at the age of 89. Joseph was born on April 18, 1927 in Wakefield, MA, son of the late Joseph W. and Mabel (Glynn) Bishop and had lived in Gardner since the age of five. In 1953 he married Virginia Johnson and together they raised two daughters, Kathleen and Susan. He had three grandsons and two great grandsons. He was a communicant at sacred Heart Church until its closing and most recently at Holy Spirit Church. He was a graduate of Sacred Heart School and Gardner High School, class of 1944. Soon after graduation, he served as a Seaman 1st Class in the United States Navy from June 1944 until July 1946. He then attended and graduated from Springfield College with a BS degree and from Fitchburg State College with a Masters in Education. Joe was principal of Gardner Junior High School for 25 years retiring in 1990. He began his career as an educator teaching history and then physical education at Gardner Junior High School until he was appointed principal. He was also principal of Waterford Street School during the latter part of his career. Joe positively impacted over 8,000 students and was honored when the academic wing at the newly opened Gardner Middle School was dedicated in his honor in 1998. Joe loved watching, playing, and coaching sports. In his younger years he played baseball, football, basketball, and softball. He enjoyed playing tennis with his buddies for many years and retired his racquet only two years ago. He was involved in coaching at all levels from little league baseball to semi-pro football with the Hillside Gymnasts. He was varsity basketball coach at GHS for eight years. He was inducted into the GHS Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994 for his contributions to sports through coaching. Joe was a very proud resident of Gardner and volunteered in many capacities. In 2014 he was presented the Presidential Lifetime Service Award for his over 4,000 hours of service to Heywood Hospital. As a long time member of The Elks Club he was co-chair of the annual GHS football banquet for several decades. He was a valued member of the City Conservation Commission for many years. In addition, he was a founding member of the Jackson Eagles where many life long friendships were formed. Mr. Bishop had an extremely positive attitude and had a warm greeting for all he met during his daily walks along the streets of Gardner. He looked forward to his weekly visits to the Levi Heywood Memorial Library and was an avid reader. He traveled extensively throughout the USA and Europe with his wife and friends. Lat June he delighted in his trip to Rome and on a Mediterranean cruise with Kathy and Susie. He leaves behind his daughters Kathleen Manacek and her husband David of Danbury, CT and Susan Wironen and her husband Robert of Tyngsboro, MA; grandsons Michael Wironen and his wife Zeynep of Burlington, VT, Thomas Wironen and his wife Alexandra of Providence, RI and Gregory Wironen and his wife Taryn of Hudson, MA; great grandsons Zeke and Efe Wironen of Burlington VT; sister Margaret Murdock of Baldwinville; sister-in-law Carol Smith of Gardner and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife of 52 years Virginia (Johnson) Bishop; an infant son Kevin Michael Bishop, and his sisters Mary Maynard and Grace Jean Legere. A Mass Christian burial will be held Thursday, April 20, 2017 at 11 am in Holy Spirit Church 50 Lovewell Street Gardner. Burial will be private at a later date. Calling hours will be held Wednesday, April 19, 2017 from 4 to 7 PM in the Lamoureux – Fletcher & Smith Funeral Home 105 Central St. Gardner. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to be made in his memory to the Gardner High School Alumni Fund – Joseph W. Bishop, Jr. Scholarship c/o Margaret Poulin Gardner High School 200 Catherine Street Gardner MA 01440 or to Levi Heywood Memorial Library Association, 55 West Lynde Street, Gardner, MA 01440. To send an online condolences please visit www.mackfamilyfh.com. Lamoureux-Fletcher & Smith - A Mack Family Funeral Home 105 Central St., Gardner is directing arrangements.