Joseph B. McGravey, 77, a retired Lawrence Firefighter, formerly of Methuen and Deerfield Beach, Florida, died peacefully at home Friday, October 5, 2012. He passed while surrounded by the love of his family after a courageous battle with cancer.
Joseph, son of the late Patrick and Minnie (Gaudet) McGravey, was born in Lawrence on June 14, 1935. He graduated from Lawrence High School and continued his education in Fire Science at North Shore Community College. During the Korean War, Joseph proudly served our country in the United States Marine Corp.
Prior to his retirement, Mr. McGravey was a Firefighter for many years with the Central Fire Station in the City of Lawrence. He enjoyed fishing, traveling and spending time at the beach. He will long be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor and more importantly, for the love and devotion he shared with his grandchildren who were a great source of pride to him.
Joseph will be deeply missed by his children; Ann Marie Rheaume and her husband Edward of Lawrence, William McGravey and his wife Michele of Derry, New Hamsphire and Paul McGravey and his wife Jacquelyn of Rutland; one brother, Francis M. McGravey of Methuen and two sisters; Catherine Montibello and her husband Larry of Haverhill and Claire Lamond and her husband Jackie of Lawrence; his grandchildren, Nicole and Elizabeth Rheaume, Ashley and Kyle McGravey and Cameron and Grace McGravey; his former wife, Joan (Comerford) McGravey and several nephews and nieces. He will also be missed by his many friends.
Joseph’s life will be celebrated and lovingly remembered in a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Monica’s Church, 212 Lawrence St., Methuen on Monday, October 8, 2012 at 10 AM. Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family. Friends will be warmly received at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, 233 Lawrence St., Methuen on Monday from 8 AM - 9:30 AM. Those who wish to remember Joseph by making a memorial contribution in his memory are kindly asked to consider the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01710. For directions or to share a condolence with the McGravey family, please visit us online at www.pollardfuneralhome.com. Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, 233 Lawrence St., Methuen is honored to assist the McGravey family with arrangements.