Joseph Espinola Jr.
Retired Lieutenant of the Lowell Fire Department
LOWELL Joseph Espinola Jr., 81, of Lowell, died after a brief illness Thursday, with his children by his side March 29, 2012 at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. He was the husband of Mary L. (Merrill) Espinola who passed away in 1998 after 40 beloved years of marriage.
Born July 29, 1930, in Lowell, he was a son of the late Joseph, and the late Josephine (Picanso) Espinola, and attended the local schools.
Mr. Espinola served with the United States Air Force during the Korean War.
He resided in the Pawtucketville section of the city, and was a communicant of St. Anthony's Church. He was employed as a Lieutenant for the Lowell Fire Department for 25 years before his retirement.
Joe enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, listening to a ball game, sipping wine at the beach, giving his "whiskey kisses" and teaching his grandchildren woodworking.
Joseph is survived by his children, Gail M. Espinola of Methuen, Joseph M. Espinola III and his wife, Renee of Dracut, and Lynn M. Christman and her husband, James of Dracut; his grandchildren, Jason Espinola, Justin Anderson, Lindsay Anderson, Cody Christman, Joey Espinola IV, Kyle Espinola, and Hannah Espinola; his sisters, Ruth Brady of Lowell and Elaine Foucher of Ridge Crest, CA; and many nieces and nephews.
He was also the father of the late Richard J. Espinola who passed away in 2003 and a brother of the late Robert Espinola.
The family wants everyone to know of the kindness extended to our dad by his dialysis nurse Dawn and the entire staff at Mass General Hospital.
YOU ARE INVITED TO HIS CALLING HOURS FROM 4 UNTIL 8 P.M. ON TUESDAY, APRIL 3. ON WEDNESDAY, HIS FUNERAL WILL BEGIN AT 9 A.M. AT THE MCDONOUGH FUNERAL HOME, 14 HIGHLAND STREET, LOWELL 978-458-6816. HIS FUNERAL MASS WILL BE OFFERED AT ST. ANTHONY'S CHURCH AT 10 A.M.. BURIAL IN ST. MARY CEMETERY. PLEASE VISIT WWW.MCDONOUGHFUNERALHOME.COM TO SEND THE FAMILY AN E-CONDOLENCE
