Joseph S. Jennette

HOLDEN - Joseph S. Jennette, 88, a great and humble man, passed away peacefully at his daughter's home in Falmouth on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 after a courageous battle with cancer. Joe was born in Worcester on December 21, 1927, the son of Salvatore and Margaret (Stevens) Jennette and lived most of his life in Jefferson before recently moving from Florida to Falmouth.
Joe’s soulmate and wife of 50 years, Ruth N. (Blair) Jennette, died in 2003. He is survived and will be lovingly missed by his children, Marion Thompson and her husband, Joe of Leicester, Peter Jennette and his wife, Debbie of East Brookfield, Paula Dunphy and her husband, Eric of Falmouth, Helen Russo and her husband, David of Hudson, FL and Cindy Quinn and her husband, Dermot of Milton; a brother, Francis P. Jennette of New Braintree; three sisters, Mary Palulian and Linda Caulfield and her husband, Jim all of Florida and Helen & Elliot Kronoff of California; 16 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; and nephews and nieces. Besides his wife, Joe is predeceased by a brother, Harold Jennette and a sister, Barbara Jennette.
He honorably served his country in the United States Coast Guard at the end of World War II. Joe was stationed at the USCG Air Station in San Diego and served aboard the high endurance cutter, U.S. CGC Escanaba . He graduated from Holden High School in 1946 and later received a Bachelor's degree from UMass Amherst in 1954, and a Master’s degree in Mathematics from Worcester State University.
Joe was a dedicated, tenured mathematics teacher in the Wachusett Regional School District for over 35 years where he educated thousands of local children. He taught at Holden elementary and middle schools for several years before spending the following 30 years at Wachusett Regional High School where he also served as the Athletic Director. Joe was a 32nd degree Master Mason, a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies of Worcester and was a lifetime member and Past Master of the Rufus Putnam Lodge of Masons in Rutland. He was also a member and Past Worthy Patron of Persis Putnam, Order of the Eastern Star in Rutland. Joe served on the Holden Housing Authority and was an instrumental member in procuring funds to build Checkerberry Village in Holden.
Joe enjoyed outdoor activities including traveling, RVing the countryside with Ruth, fine woodworking, masonry, building, gardening, military history and jeopardy. He was avid coin and stamp collector. He was a proud and devoted husband, brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend.  Joe’s tender guidance and understanding didn’t end at the classroom. He provided an example of the strength of a man who truly loves his wife. It has been said, “The best gift a father can give to his children is to love their mother.” Joe did this effortlessly because Ruth was the love of his life. “We all miss you Joe. Thanks for giving us all the compass and squares you lived by to help us become better family members and US citizens.” His motto in life is to always be kind.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Joe’s family from 3 to 6 pm on Sunday, January 31, at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street (Rte. 122), Holden. A graveside service will be held privately at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Joe’s name to Wachusett Regional High School Scholarship Fund, c/o Donna Bradway, 1401 Main Street, Holden, MA 01520. Or better yet, tell your loved ones you love them and arrange a visit or dinner party. To share a memory with Joe's family or leave an online condolence, please "sign the guest book" on this page.



HOLDEN - Joseph S. Jennette, 88, a great and humble man, passed away peacefully at his daughter's home in Falmouth on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 after a courageous battle with cancer. Joe was born in Worcester on December 21, 1927, the son of Salvatore and Margaret (Stevens) Jennette and lived most of his life in Jefferson before recently moving from Florida to Falmouth. Joe’s soulmate and wife of 50 years, Ruth N. (Blair) Jennette, died in 2003. He is survived and will be lovingly missed by his children, Marion Thompson and her husband, Joe of Leicester, Peter Jennette and his wife, Debbie of East Brookfield, Paula Dunphy and her husband, Eric of Falmouth, Helen Russo and her husband, David of Hudson, FL and Cindy Quinn and her husband, Dermot of Milton; a brother, Francis P. Jennette of New Braintree; three sisters, Mary Palulian and Linda Caulfield and her husband, Jim all of Florida and Helen & Elliot Kronoff of California; 16 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; and nephews and nieces. Besides his wife, Joe is predeceased by a brother, Harold Jennette and a sister, Barbara Jennette. He honorably served his country in the United States Coast Guard at the end of World War II. Joe was stationed at the USCG Air Station in San Diego and served aboard the high endurance cutter, U.S. CGC Escanaba . He graduated from Holden High School in 1946 and later received a Bachelor's degree from UMass Amherst in 1954, and a Master’s degree in Mathematics from Worcester State University. Joe was a dedicated, tenured mathematics teacher in the Wachusett Regional School District for over 35 years where he educated thousands of local children. He taught at Holden elementary and middle schools for several years before spending the following 30 years at Wachusett Regional High School where he also served as the Athletic Director. Joe was a 32nd degree Master Mason, a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies of Worcester and was a lifetime member and Past Master of the Rufus Putnam Lodge of Masons in Rutland. He was also a member and Past Worthy Patron of Persis Putnam, Order of the Eastern Star in Rutland. Joe served on the Holden Housing Authority and was an instrumental member in procuring funds to build Checkerberry Village in Holden. Joe enjoyed outdoor activities including traveling, RVing the countryside with Ruth, fine woodworking, masonry, building, gardening, military history and jeopardy. He was avid coin and stamp collector. He was a proud and devoted husband, brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend.  Joe’s tender guidance and understanding didn’t end at the classroom. He provided an example of the strength of a man who truly loves his wife. It has been said, “The best gift a father can give to his children is to love their mother.” Joe did this effortlessly because Ruth was the love of his life. “We all miss you Joe. Thanks for giving us all the compass and squares you lived by to help us become better family members and US citizens.” His motto in life is to always be kind. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Joe’s family from 3 to 6 pm on Sunday, January 31, at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street (Rte. 122), Holden. A graveside service will be held privately at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Joe’s name to Wachusett Regional High School Scholarship Fund, c/o Donna Bradway, 1401 Main Street, Holden, MA 01520. Or better yet, tell your loved ones you love them and arrange a visit or dinner party. To share a memory with Joe's family or leave an online condolence, please "sign the guest book" on this page.