Obituary of Joseph F. Reis

Joseph Francis Reis, 84, a longtime resident of Woburn, Littleton and Westford, died peacefully at Westford House on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.  Joe was born in Somerville, the son of the late Manuel and Eliza (Cabral) Reis.

Joseph grew up in Woburn and attended the Woburn Public Schools, including the Goodyear School, where he was a crossing guard and made frequent visits to the nearby Dennie’s and Turgiss stores for candy. His sweet tooth lasted his whole life. In 1952, Joe had the distinction of joining his Goodyear principal, Ethel Quinn, the police chief and other crossing guards for an appearance on WBZ-TV.  Although the Reis family did not have a television at that time, the family does have a nice photo documenting the occasion.

Joe grew up with five siblings in a one-bathroom house at the end of Elm Avenue overlooking the East Woburn cranberry bogs.  The bogs served as a playground for Joe, his siblings and his neighbors.  The bog was perfect for ice skating in the winter and fishing, frog hunting and rafting in the Summer.

Joe’s dad had built a chicken coop overlooking the bogs, and Joe helped raise the chicks, feed the hens and collect the eggs.  In later years, Joe’s father converted the chicken coop to a workshop, and it also became a useful hideout for Joe and his friends.

In Joe’s early teens, he was diagnosed with mental illness, which plagued him for the rest of his life.  He was in and out of various state institutions and was subjected to many experimental treatments that took a toll on him.  Joe’s illness was also a challenge for his parents and siblings.  Whether Joe lived at home or was hospitalized, his family worried about his safety and his unpredictability.  During deinstitutionalization, when mental hospitals closed without sufficient community resources, his family advocated for his care, and in 1997, Joe moved into a group home in Littleton, a major success for Joe and his family.

Joe was caring and intelligent and was interested in science, particularly astronomy.  Because of Joe, his family learned to be compassionate with people who face physical or mental challenges.

Joe’s family is grateful for the support and care provided by the staff at Heritage House in Littleton and Westford House in Westford.

Joseph is survived by his brother, William Reis of Littleton; his sister Bernadette Cameron and her husband Malcolm of Deerfield, NH; 16 nieces and nephews and numerous great-nieces and nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his sisters, the late Margaret Nardone, the late Mary Ventura and the late Laura Michaud; and by his nephew, the late William Nardone.

Family and friends will gather for a visiting hour at the Arthur P. Graham Funeral Home, 3 Arlington Rd., Woburn on Friday, November 14 from 9:30-10:30 am; followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at St. William of York Church, 1351 Main St., Tewksbury at 11:30 am.  Services will conclude with burial at the Tewksbury Cemetery, 172 East St., Tewksbury.

Donations may be made in Joseph’s memory to the National Alliance on Mental Illness/Massachusetts at www.NAMIMASS.org/donate. Arrangements are under the care of the Arthur P. Graham Funeral Home, www.grahamfuneral.com.