Joseph B. Ruth III

TOWNSEND: Joseph B. Ruth, III, 68, of Townsend, formerly of Ashburnham, died Sunday, January 14, 2024 at Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Boston following a lengthy illness. Joe was born in Ipswich, September 16, 1955, a son of the late Joseph B. and Mary Isabel (Grimes) Ruth and grew up in Gloucester and later in Ashburnham. He has resided in Townsend for over thirty five years. Joe was a 1973 graduate of Oakmont Regional High School in Ashburnham and continued his education at Mount Wachusett Community College before receiving his Bachelors Degree from North Adams State College. He went on to receive a Masters in Business Administration from Western New England University in Springfield. For fifteen years Joe served as a Senior Vice President at Rollstone Bank & Trust in Fitchburg, retiring in 2020. Prior to that he had worked in a similar capacity at TD Bank and Safety Fund National Bank, also in Fitchburg. Joe’s favorite pastime and hobby was everything Baseball. Much of the free time in his life included playing, coaching, watching and talking about baseball. For over 45 years he played and served as the General Manager and coach of the Lunenburg Phillies. Most recently he served as the President of the Central New England Baseball Association and as an assistant coach to the North Middlesex Regional High School Baseball Team. Besides coaching, he spent much of his free time babysitting and enjoying his grandchildren, who adored him. He was a member of St. John’s Church in Townsend. He leaves his wife of 44 years, Mary Jane (Croll) Ruth; two sons, Andrew J. Ruth and his wife Meghan, Christopher J. Ruth and his wife Kacie both of Lunenburg; his daughter, Caitlin M. Silva and husband Michael of Fitchburg; his brother, James A. Ruth of Gardner; three sisters, Eileen C. Cusick of Springfield, Mary Ellen Cancellieri of Gardner, Kathleen M. Jackson of Templeton and two grandchildren, Quinn Silva and Noah Ruth. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 AM Friday, January 19, 2024 at St. John’s Church, 1 School Street, Townsend. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery, West Townsend. Joe’s family will receive relatives and friends at calling hours 4-7PM Thursday, January 18, 2024 at the Anderson Funeral Home, 250 Main Street (Rte. 119) Townsend Center. www.andersonfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made to North Middlesex Regional School Athletic Booster Scholarship Foundation, PO Box 34, Townsend, MA 01469.

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Joseph B. Ruth III

September 16, 1955 - January 14, 2024