Joseph J. Mazzola

TOWNSEND; First Sergeant Joseph J. Mazzola (ret), 80, of Townsend passed away surrounded by his loving family on Sunday February 19, 2023, after battling health complications resulting from Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam. Joe was first generation Italian-American, born in Worcester November 3, 1942 to the late Joseph and Josephine M. (Zollo) Mazzola and was a graduate of Commerce High School in Worcester. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Margaret (Peggy) Mazzola, his son Anthony and his wife Lisa Mazzola of Medway and their three sons, Ryan, Jason and Colin, his daughter Susan and her husband Richard Novia of Greenville, NH and many cousins, nephews and nieces. He was the brother of the late Michael Mazzola of Worcester and Robert Mazzola Shrewsbury. . He joined the United States Army in 1959 where he served 23 years, including two combat tours in Vietnam, three peace time tours in Europe and two in Korea. He retired as the First Sergeant of the Military Police at Fort Devens in 1982. He received many awards and citations including a Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, and was a Purple Heart recipient. Joe and Peggy moved to Townsend in 1981 where they raised their family and enjoyed many years together. Joe was said to be a staple of the North Middlesex Regional School District, where he worked from 1989 until he retired in 2006 and was respected by many in the community. Soon thereafter he became the Veteran’s Service Officer for the towns of Townsend, Ashby and Pepperell, where he was committed to helping those who served. He dedicated his life to service until he retired in October of 2022 to concentrate on his family and health. Joe was a devoted, loving husband, father and grandfather. He loved to travel, in 2000 Joe and Peggy discovered cruising and never looked back. They shared many trips to the Caribbean, through the Panama Canal, the Mediterranean, and Bermuda, where they renewed their wedding vows on their 25th anniversary. Joe had a passion for cooking, which he passed down generationally through sharing family recipes. A frequent request of his grandsons was making homemade pizza with “Papa Joe.” He loved music, his favorite artists were Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennet and Andrea Bocelli. He enjoyed golf, watching westerns and war movies. Aside from the military, his greatest accomplishment was his family, and Joe loved nothing more than spending time them. He had many friends that he considered family, including friends of his children, who he treated as his own and loved fiercely. Joe will be remembered as a kind, hard-working, honorable and dedicated man of service, who loved his family, community, God and country. Joe's Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 AM Monday, February 27, 2023 at St. John's Church, 1 School Street, Townsend. Interment will be at Massachusetts Veterans Cemetery, 111 Glenallen Street, Winchendon. Joe's family will receive relatives and friends at calling hours, Sunday, February 26th at the Anderson Funeral Home, 250 Main Street, (Rte 119) Townsend Center. For additional information or to leave an online condolence please visit their website at www.andersonfuneral.com. Memorial contributions may be made to DAV PO Box 403, Townsend, MA 01469

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Joseph J. Mazzola

November 3, 1942 - February 19, 2023