Joseph John Paradise

Joseph John Paradise, 89, of Westfield, MA passed away peacefully on March 10, 2017 at home surrounded by his family. Joseph was born in Milford, Massachusetts to Louise (Andreola) and Teodorico Paradiso on February 4, 1928, the fourth of five children. He graduated from Milford High School. His love and fascination with aviation led him to join the Civil Air Patrol during the second World War. Joe went on to study engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with an eye toward aviation engineering, before deciding that his calling lay elsewhere.  Joe entered the Congregation of the Clerics of St. Viator in Arlington Heights, Illinois and was ordained as a priest in the Roman Catholic Church.  He earned his B.S. degree from Loyola University and an M.Ed from DePaul University in Chicago.  His service to his order led him to Las Vegas, Nevada where he was a much-admired priest, counselor, as well as a high school math and physics teacher.  Joe eventually left the priesthood, but continued his life’s work of serving and loving others by earning a Masters of Social Work degree In Social Work Administration from Arizona State University.  He embarked on a notable career, first as a social worker for the Inter Tribal Council of Nevada. He then was hired by The Bureau of Indian Affairs and served first as a counselor at the Stewart Indian Boarding School for Native Americans in Carson City, Nevada. Joe had a genuine passion and concern for the welfare of the Native American tribes he served, and his career took him to many beautiful parts of the Western United States, serving in many capacities in Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, Oregon and Washington over several decades.  Joe’s untiring work on behalf of the Native American tribes he served was recognized by special awards at several points throughout his career.  He eventually retired in the seaside town of Newport, Oregon before moving back home to Massachusetts to be closer to family. Joe had a life long love of both people and nature; he loved to go camping in the beautiful parks of the Western U.S. and found that being in the woods brought him a tremendous sense of peace.  Joe is the beloved husband of 21 years to Rebecca S. Murray, who shared his passion of serving others. He is the loving father to his children from his first marriage to Josephine Davis, his daughter Mary Louise Paradise Moore of London, England, and his son Theodore J. Paradise of West Springfield, MA. Joe was devoted to his 5 grand-children, and cherished by many family members who will miss him dearly, including his step-daughter, Lisa Hall, who came to help care for him many times during the past 5 years. He also cherished his 4 step-grandchildren. Joe will be remembered for his generous heart, his concern for social justice, and his great love of others. He always saw the good in everyone. Joe is predeceased by his brother Peter and his sisters Clara and Connie. He is survived by his brother Michael “Tony” Paradiso, of Woodbridge, California. Calling hours will be 4pm to 7pm on Wednesday, March 15, and a memorial service will be held at 1pm on Thursday, March 16th, both at the Episcopal Church of the Atonement at 36 Court Street, in Westfield, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe’s name may be made to the Episcopal Church of the Atonement. 

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