Joseph G. Gigante – 89, of North Reading and formerly of Dorchester, died Wednesday, June 10, 2020 at the Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington.
Born in Boston, MA on March 18, 1931, he was the son of the late Gabriel and Rita (DeAngelosante) Gigante. He was a graduate of Charlestown High School, Class of 1948 and later attended Wentworth Institute in Boston.
He was a U.S. Air Force Veteran of the Korean War, he served from 1950 to 1956, he also served with the Army Air Corps from 1949 to 1950.
Joe was a retired Electrical Inspector for the Town of North Reading for many years and a retired Vice President of Burlington Engineering, a Division of Interstate Electrical Services in Billerica. He was also involved with the Hoist and Crane Industry. Joe was well known in the material handling business throughout New England.
He has been a resident of North Reading for the past 64 years and a member of St. Theresa’s Church. He was a former School Committee member for the Northeast Regional Metropolitan Regional School in Wakefield. Joe was a member of the North Reading Moose Lodge and served as a former Past Governor, he coached and umpired for the North Reading Little League and coached for the North Reading Youth Hockey League. Joe enjoyed being active in the North Reading Men’s Softball League where he coached for many years, he was a member of the North Reading Bowling League and was also an avid New England sports fan.
He was a loving husband, father and grandfather and would always be there to lend a helping hand to anyone.
Family members include his loving wife of 64 years, Jean M. (Muller) Gigante; his sons, Joseph Gigante and his wife Christine and Stephen Gigante and his wife Tamara DerAnanian; his daughter, Gemma Gigante Alvarez and her husband Bob; grandchildren, Casandra and Tianna Alvarez, Joseph and Michael Gigante; brothers, Dino Gigante and his wife Doris, Anthony Gigante and his wife Anne and his sister, Mary Cincotta.
Graveside services were held on Thursday, June 18 at 11:00 AM in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to National Shrine of St. Jude Claretian Missionaries, 205 W. Monroe St., Chicago, IL 60606. Arrangements are by the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com
Dear Jean, Edie and the Graham family. Our deepest condolences on your loss. Joe was a special, warm and friendly guy who made our lives better. He will always be remembered with fondness. Our prayers for your strength in knowing he loved you all. Lorraine & John Silvia
I am proud to say this is my Dad. I love you very much and you will be missed by all. You were a loving father, grandfather and great grandfather!!! Rest easy Dad!!
Love Joey
Dear Jean, Joe, Steve, Gemma and families,
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Joe was an extraordinary man who put a smile on everybody’s face that he came in contact. He was a great friend to Donnie and I and we will always cherish the wonderful memories we have of Joe. Love and prayers!
Edna ( MacLeod) Smith and Debbie (MacLeod) Jenkins
My brother Joe was a very special man who was always there to help me. We grew up together very close – only 18 months apart. I will always cherish those wonderful memories.He was a good husband and father – grandfather. May he rest in peace. Love Mary Rita Cincotta.
While I haven’t met uncle joe really, he will he missed greatly!!!! Rest In Peace uncle joe!!! Love you so much!!!!
I am so sorry for your loss. I didn’t find out until recently Mr. Gigante was best friends with my Uncle Donnie MacLeod. I’m so lucky I got to meet him and know what a wonderful person he was.
I’m going to miss your happy voice, every time I called you, you made me feel like I was special. We are going to miss you terribly.
Love Dino and Doris
Joe was an awesome neighbor, coach, walking buddy and good conversations. My condolences to the Gigante’s and the Grahams for their loss. Joes will surely be missed
Sav
Joe is my oldest brother and I am going to miss him dearly. I was lucky enough to live nearby and have regular contact with him. We had many unforgettable conversations and he was always a positive, loving person. God bless him.
TONY and ANNE GIGANTE
My memory of Uncle Joe was his great sense of humor, quick wit and his ability to tell a story. And if you get him in a room with his brothers (Tony and Dino), it was non-stop laughs. My condolences to Aunt Jean, Joe, Stevie and Gemma and their families. Love, Frank Cincotta
My Uncle Joe was a very special person who made a lasting impression in our community of North Reading. Everyone around town knew Joe and always had such kind words to say about him. I’m sure many still owe him a favor for something he did to help them out first. Thank you for everything you did for us too Uncle Joe. We will always remember your smiling face at our house.
Debbie (Gigante) and Brian Hawley
My Uncle Joe was a very special person who made a lasting impression in our community of North Reading. Everyone around town knew Joe and always had such kind words to say about him. I’m sure many still owe Joe a favor for something he did to help them out first. Thank you for everything you did for us too Uncle Joe. We will always remember your smiling face at our house.
Debbie (Gigante) and Brian Hawley
Worked with Joe for 10 yrs at North Reading Building Dept. He was a tremendous Electrical inspector and a friend. His professionalism was unmatched. Had the opportunity to work with other public safety inspectors…few had Joe Gigante’s dedication and compassion.
Ed Canney
Joe was a wonderful person and friend to my family and myself. I have such fond memories of him since I was a little girl. I could of been playing in his yard, or mine with his kids and the rest of the neighborhood. We certainly were a bunch! I remember when my parents went away and I stayed at your house. I was introduced to putting together puzzles as a family. They framed some of them and I can remember thinking how great that was. When I got hit by the car going to church when I was 9, your Dad was on his way to church also. I have been told that he took my Bible and shoes to my mother and told her what happened. I think he brought her to the hospital too. Joe was also my driving buddy. After graduation, I worked in Boston and he would pick me up every morning and drop me off at Stuart Street. Your Dad was also instrumental at getting Stuart an interview at Burlington Engineering. I think I could go on and on about my memories. You see we were a tight knit neighborhood. Every adult was like our parent. However, Joe was one of my favorites.
May you rest in peace in Jesus arms until we see each other again. Thank you Joe for being the person you were. You touched a lot of people. You will be in my prayers.
I am so sorry for your loss Jean. Joey, Gemma and Stevie. The pain is deep now but it does get easier with time.
Love to you all,
Tricia (Murphy) Russell