Joseph V. Fandrey, 86, of Auburndale died on March 17th at the Wingate Rehabilitation Center in Needham. Born in Boston, he graduated from Newton High School with the class of 1936. Working closely with family through his entire career and enabled with a strong entrepreneurial spirit, Joseph developed, founded, and managed several successful businesses.
Beginning his career in the electrical contracting industry, he served as the Vice President of Fandrey Electric of Boston and as a managing partner of Edwin C. Lewis Electric of Boston. As an officer of these companies he helped manage electrical installations at the Pillar House, the Callahan tunnel, the Quabbin Reservoir, the Watertown Arsenal, Corpus Christi Church, numerous buildings in the South Station area of Boston and Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Venturing out on his own, Joseph founded the American Tinning Company, which preformed specialty tinning for the U.S. Navy in support of the World War II war effort and for industrial sector. After the war Joseph managed several businesses to include Fitzwater & Laipson, a manufacturer of milk carton fillers, and H.T. Bates a food and dairy process equipment and supply company.
As a young man, Joseph was an active sportsman and marksman. He most enjoyed competitive archery at the sportsman shows and made routine hunting and fishing trips to Topsfield, Maine. He took great pleasure in the outdoors and during the winter season worked with a canoe-maker who made canoes for the Norumbega Park. Beginning in the mid 1960’s, his leisure time was spent on Cape Cod. His favorite pastimes were shell fishing on the beach with his favorite cousin George and spending time with his family.
He was the beloved husband of the late Lola (Hewitt) Fandrey He is survived by his children John J. Fandrey and his wife Gloria of Needham, Elaine Fandrey Costigan and her husband Neal J. Costigan of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, his sisters Ruth Pottey of Sandwich, MA, Dorothea and her husband Ken Luce of Buzzards Bay, MA, Joan Donlan and her husband Paul of Newton Highlands. He was the grandfather of Matthew Fandrey of Ware MA, Adam Fandrey of South Boston, Erin Schwab of Pawtucket, Moira Costigan and Sean Costigan both of Pawtucket and the late Capt. Joseph R. Fandrey USMC. He also leaves his great grandchildren Abigail, Joseph, and James Michael.
Funeral from the Eaton Funeral Home at 1351 Highland Avenue in Needham on Monday March 21st at 10:00 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Saint Joseph Church at 11:30 AM. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday from 4-8 PM. Interment will follow at the Gardens of Gethsemane in West Roxbury.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Joseph’s name may be made to the New River Aviation Memorial Foundation, PO Box 4068, Jacksonville, NC 28540.