Frank M. Joseph

Frank M. Joseph, 90, of Westerly, RI, passed away on December 18, 2008 in Wakefield, RI, after a brief illness. Frank was born and raised in Springfield, MA with his four brothers and six sisters, whom he adored. He worked with his siblings in the family garment manufacturing business while in high school. Frank graduated from Technical High School in Springfield with the class of 1935 ½ . Although given a full dispensation from the draft due to his work on cannons at Worthington Pump in Holyoke, MA at the beginning of World War II, he enlisted in the Army Air Corp and received his pilot training at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. After the war Frank developed Inland Marine Center and was involved in the marine business for the remainder of his working life, ending with a Resort he and his devoted wife Carol built on Block island, RI. Frank Joseph was a genius. He created amazing things. He was also a very strong character who tolerated “no nonsense” thus his nickname, “Honest Frank”. Frank was predeceased by his first wife Pat, who died tragically in 1950, but not before she gave him two sons, F. Michael Joseph of Granby, CT and Richard H. Joseph of Agawam, MA. He is also predeceased by his second wife, Jean Schlosstien, who gave him Patricia Jean Joseph and Dr. Jeffrey F. Joseph, both of RI. Frank was also predeceased by all of his siblings except his angelic sister Louise and loyal brother Victor. Frank also leaves his beloved grandchildren, Mick, Carolyn, Ashlie, Natalie and Christopher Joseph and great grandchildren, Chloe, Grant, Evelyn and Allison Loiuse; his daughter-in-law, Maria Joseph of RI, Leslie Joseph of Agawam and Susan Joseph of Granby, CT. The funeral will be held Monday at 11:00 AM in St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 8 Plainfield St., Springfield, MA. Visiting hours Sunday 4-7 PM in Forastiere-Smith Funeral Home, 220 North Main St., E. Longmeadow, MA.