Obituary for Joseph Edward Wallace
ROCKLAND – Joseph Edward Patrick Wallace, 83, died peacefully, following a long illness, Friday, August 30, 2019 at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor. He was surrounded by his loving family.
Born January 27, 1936 in Hartford, Connecticut, he was the son of Joseph P. and Anna Slater Wallace. Joe was educated locally, and earned his High School Diploma from Rockland District High School many years after returning home from the service. He was proud to have earned his diploma the same year as some of his grandchildren. Joe served in the US Navy during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1958.
For over 27 years Joe was married to Gladys Wallace. Together they raised their two daughters in Friendship and were active members of the community there. Joe and Gladys subsequently divorced. Later in life, Joe enjoyed the companionship of Joanne Pratt for many years. Ms. Pratt passed away in 2017.
Joe was a hard worker, working for over 20 years at FMC/Marine Colloids as a welder and pipe fitter. He was an active member of the Winslow-Holbrook-Merritt American Legion, Post No. 1 in Rockland. There he participated with the Legion Riders and the Color Guard. He was an N.R.A. shooting instructor, participating in many team shooting events. He had a special place in his heart for children, and for over 20 years played Santa to help with the ‘Toys for Tots’ campaign. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were his number one priority in his life, and he never missed a sporting or school event. A faithful supporter of the Special Olympics, he even assisted at the games for several years.
Joe love being outdoors, hunting, fishing and camping. He was a proud patriot with a great sense of humor and ‘straight shooter’ attitude. You never had to guess what Joe was thinking and he never missed the opportunity to give someone a hard time! He will be sadly missed by all who loved him.
Predeceased by his siblings, William Wallace, Victoria Strothers, Thomas Wallace, and Beverly Kudla; and his companion Joanne Pratt; Joe is survived by his daughters, Laurie Jillson and her husband Bill of Rockland, Kim Lee and her husband Todd of Monroe; his step-children, Paul Salo and his wife Liane of Belfast, Joseph Salo and his companion Angela Reimer of Owls Head, Trisha Rodriquez and her husband John of Taunton, MA; his grandchildren, Michael J. Reed and his wife Anna, Michael Horton and his companion Danica Simmons, Brett Simmons, Miranda Simons and her companion Ron Watkins, Andrew Hutchins and his companion Brittany Wall, Joseph Simons and his companion Erin Walter, Kaleb Wing, Alden Louder and his companion Shailyn Rittall, Steffani Jillson, Mercedes Jillson, Samantha Jillson, Chelsea Fish, Terry Czosnek, Danielle Gargan, and Ashley Snell; his great-grandchildren, Lukas and Lyleigh Reed, Owen Horton, Colby Beverage, Seamus Henry, Danika Haver, Ary Thivierge, Emma, and Karma; his step-grandchildren, Gabriel, Phillip, Phoebe, Jack, Eddie, James, Ares, Danielle, Sierra and Jason; his special friends, Michael P. Reed and Ken Wing; his best-friend and four legged companion, “Winnie’; as well as many nieces and nephews and too many friends to count.
A celebration of Joe’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, September 5, 2019 at Salvage Church (formerly Grace Bible Church), 50 Sheerer Lane, Rockland. Pastor Wally Simmons will officiate. Interment with Military Honors will be held at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Mt. Vernon Road, Augusta.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the either, Special Olympics Maine, Attn: Phil, 125 John Roberts Rd #5, South Portland ME 04106, or Travis Mills Foundation, 747 Western Ave., Manchester, ME. 04351.
Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.
Born January 27, 1936 in Hartford, Connecticut, he was the son of Joseph P. and Anna Slater Wallace. Joe was educated locally, and earned his High School Diploma from Rockland District High School many years after returning home from the service. He was proud to have earned his diploma the same year as some of his grandchildren. Joe served in the US Navy during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1958.
For over 27 years Joe was married to Gladys Wallace. Together they raised their two daughters in Friendship and were active members of the community there. Joe and Gladys subsequently divorced. Later in life, Joe enjoyed the companionship of Joanne Pratt for many years. Ms. Pratt passed away in 2017.
Joe was a hard worker, working for over 20 years at FMC/Marine Colloids as a welder and pipe fitter. He was an active member of the Winslow-Holbrook-Merritt American Legion, Post No. 1 in Rockland. There he participated with the Legion Riders and the Color Guard. He was an N.R.A. shooting instructor, participating in many team shooting events. He had a special place in his heart for children, and for over 20 years played Santa to help with the ‘Toys for Tots’ campaign. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were his number one priority in his life, and he never missed a sporting or school event. A faithful supporter of the Special Olympics, he even assisted at the games for several years.
Joe love being outdoors, hunting, fishing and camping. He was a proud patriot with a great sense of humor and ‘straight shooter’ attitude. You never had to guess what Joe was thinking and he never missed the opportunity to give someone a hard time! He will be sadly missed by all who loved him.
Predeceased by his siblings, William Wallace, Victoria Strothers, Thomas Wallace, and Beverly Kudla; and his companion Joanne Pratt; Joe is survived by his daughters, Laurie Jillson and her husband Bill of Rockland, Kim Lee and her husband Todd of Monroe; his step-children, Paul Salo and his wife Liane of Belfast, Joseph Salo and his companion Angela Reimer of Owls Head, Trisha Rodriquez and her husband John of Taunton, MA; his grandchildren, Michael J. Reed and his wife Anna, Michael Horton and his companion Danica Simmons, Brett Simmons, Miranda Simons and her companion Ron Watkins, Andrew Hutchins and his companion Brittany Wall, Joseph Simons and his companion Erin Walter, Kaleb Wing, Alden Louder and his companion Shailyn Rittall, Steffani Jillson, Mercedes Jillson, Samantha Jillson, Chelsea Fish, Terry Czosnek, Danielle Gargan, and Ashley Snell; his great-grandchildren, Lukas and Lyleigh Reed, Owen Horton, Colby Beverage, Seamus Henry, Danika Haver, Ary Thivierge, Emma, and Karma; his step-grandchildren, Gabriel, Phillip, Phoebe, Jack, Eddie, James, Ares, Danielle, Sierra and Jason; his special friends, Michael P. Reed and Ken Wing; his best-friend and four legged companion, “Winnie’; as well as many nieces and nephews and too many friends to count.
A celebration of Joe’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, September 5, 2019 at Salvage Church (formerly Grace Bible Church), 50 Sheerer Lane, Rockland. Pastor Wally Simmons will officiate. Interment with Military Honors will be held at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Mt. Vernon Road, Augusta.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the either, Special Olympics Maine, Attn: Phil, 125 John Roberts Rd #5, South Portland ME 04106, or Travis Mills Foundation, 747 Western Ave., Manchester, ME. 04351.
Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.