Obituary of Joseph F. Wells

Joseph F. Wells, Boston Police Detective, Great Father Joseph F. Wells of Woburn, 87 years old, died September 14, 2024, surrounded by love at the Bedford VA David James Hospice Unit. He was the beloved husband of the late Jacquelyn A. (Barnes) Wells, the devoted father of eight children and their spouses, adored Grumpy Grampy to his thirteen grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and the much-loved uncle, brother, brother-in-law, and friend to many. Born in Woburn, Joe, the eldest child of Mary and Joseph Wells, grew up on Cleveland Avenue. If even half the stories he shared about his childhood were true—or better yet, the tales his sister, Sheila, told about her brother—Joe made Huck Finn look tame by comparison. While still in high school, Joe enlisted in the US Air Force, serving in Alaska and Las Vegas (He preferred Las Vegas and anywhere with no snow.), where he used the mechanical skills learned working at his father's Winn Street Texaco garage. Joe courted Jackie and convinced her to leave the convent where she had been preparing to become a Dominican nun. They married and were off to Las Vegas to begin their 61 years of marriage. Often working three jobs to support his family, Joe became an electrician, a Woburn fireman, and then a police officer before transferring to the Boston Police Department. He worked the night shift because, as he would say, "The streets of Boston are quieter than a house with eight kids." As the household also included a pony, a sheep, cats, guinea pigs, gerbils, and Heidi, the world's best dog, he was probably right. During his years with the Boston Police Department, Joe served in several capacities, including working in South Boston at the height of the Boston busing crisis. On patrol one night, Joe saved his partner's life from an armed suspect and was awarded the Medal of Valor. Later, Joe joined the mounted police unit, often riding to the college campuses where two of his daughters attended school to check on his girls. His work with the drug task force led to occasions where Mom would warn anyone going into Boston, "If you see your father today, pretend you don't know him. He's working undercover." As jaw-dropping as Dad's reminiscences were about his years as a Boston police detective were, it is the stories others told about him helping kids in trouble, showing up to lend a hand, or dropping by to check to see if you needed anything that are the most telling of the kind of man Joe Wells was. Even when working long hours, Joe still loved to travel. If Dad announced, "We are going for a ride." his kids scrambled to gather clothing, books, and toys because "a ride' could mean two hours or two days. In the summer of 1976, he and Mom packed up the children in a pickup truck with a trailer in tow for an unforgettable trip across the country to celebrate the Bicentennial. After retiring, Joe had another trip of a lifetime, setting off by himself to explore the world. Jackie, content to stay home, waited for him to return. Upon landing at each new destination, he'd seek out the local church and pub before finding the highest view, taking lots of photos, then sending postcards stamped with his signature statement, "Having a great time. Glad you're not here." Dad’s retirement adventures continued with his nephew Dan Edmonds in Fort Myers, Florida. His favorite way of returning home in the spring was via Kentucky to attend the Derby. Joe also encouraged his children and grandchildren to travel and explore the world, which we continue to do, his sense of adventure being one of his legacies to us. When a friend or family member died, Joe would write in his address book, "Gone home," next to the person's name. Joe will be much missed by his family and friends, but we take comfort in knowing he's gone home and is with Mom. Instead of saying goodbye, Dad would say, "I'll see you when I see you and not before." Goodbye, Dad. You were a good father, and we'll see you when we see you and not before. Joseph F. Wells is survived by John and Denise Wells, Cathleen and Patrick Rowland, Kenneth Wells and Mark Gelsinger, Jacquelyn Miller and William Frank, Brenda Wells and Sean Crowley, Karen Wells and Andrew Canning, Jane and Jerry Murray, Joseph and Heather Wells, and our "9th sibling," Daniel Edmonds and his wife Pamela, his grandchildren Rebecca and Donald Grey, John and Katie Rowland, Kara Rowland, Michael and Shauna Rowland, Timothy Wells, Kevin Wells, Rachel and John Guerra, Shealagh Crowley, Cameron Crowley, Kathryn and Jack Duran, Christine Murray, Jacob Wells, and Jillian Wells as well as his two great-granddaughters Emma and Ava Rowland. He is also survived by his sister Judy Callanan and her husband, Philip, brother-in-law Edmond Sapienza, sister-in-law Marcia Wells, brother-in-law Roger Barnes and his wife Barbara, as well as by many nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by Andrew and Matthew Rowland, Bruce R. Miller, Eileen Sapienza, Michael Sapienza, Sheila and Arthur Edmonds, Michael Wells, Helen Masotta, Kevin Masotta, Clyde Barnes, George Barnes, and Mary Dirago. Visiting hours will be at the Graham Funeral Home, 3 Arlington Rd., Woburn on Monday, September 23 from 4:00-8:00pm. The funeral will be from the funeral home on Tuesday, September 24 at 9:00 am, followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Anthony's Church, 851 Main St., Woburn at 10:00 am. Burial with Military Honors will be at St. Mary's Cemetery, Salem, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the David James Hospice Unit, VA Bedford Healthcare System-135, 200 Springs Road, Bedford, MA 01730. (www.va.gov/bedford-health-care)