On February 16, Joseph Pope of Newton, MA passed away from cancer. He was 57.
Joe was born on December 20, 1950 in New York, NY and grew up in nearby Scarsdale, NY. A proud alumnus of MIT, he graduated with an SB in Mechanical Engineering. Joe continued his academic career at Stanford where he earned a PhD by conducting pioneering research in road noise propagation through
tires. While at Stanford he met his wife, Mary. The two eventually settled in Newton, MA where they resided together for over twenty years and raised three children. While living in Newton, Joe founded the Pope Engineering Company specializing in acoustical consulting.
In addition to acoustics, Joe had many passions. He began his lifelong association with the Boy Scouts as a youth, earning the rank of Eagle Scout. As an adult, Joe shared his love of hiking, the outdoors, and community service as Scoutmaster of Newton Troop 205 for eight years continuing until his
death. With encyclopedic knowledge of math and science, Joe was always studying the world around him. In that vein, he enjoyed coaching MathCounts teams at Brown and Oak Hill Middle Schools. Joe was also actively involved in the Newton Catholic community through the Mary Immaculate of Lourdes Parish in Newton Upper Falls where he served as a Lector. Joseph is survived by his wife, Mary, mother, Martha, three sons, Leavitt, Allen, and Benjamin, 10 brothers and sisters, and 23 nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Mary Immaculate of Lourdes Church Elliot St, Newton Upper Falls on 12 noon on Thursday, February 21. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Acoustical Society Foundation (www.acousticalfoundation.org). Arrangements by the Eaton and Mackay Funeral Home, 465 Centre St. Newton Corner. www.eatonandmackay.com