Westborough – Joseph A. Federici, 94, of Westborough, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 31, 2023, at the Rose Monahan Hospice Home in Worcester. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Priscilla A. (White) Federici on October 6, 2019.
Born in Clinton, he was the son of the late Anthony and Althea Federici and was called “Sonny”. He was oldest of four children, with sisters Dorothy (Federici) Barr who predeceased him, Roseann (Federici) Tagg of Idaho, and Robert Federici and wife Emily of Sterling. He lived in Clinton and Lancaster originally, eventually settling with the family in Sterling where he attended grade school. He attended Leominster High graduating in 1947. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1948 serving until 1951 and re-enlisting until 1953. He was stationed at Far East Air Force Headquarters in Tokyo and received his Honorable Discharge in 1953 in Macon, GA.
After the service, Joseph got engaged to Priscilla in 1953 and they were married on February 11, 1956. In 1955 they began building their home with his father, relatives, and friends in Westborough on Flanders Road, completing it in 1956 and officially becoming part of the Westborough community. The family moved to Church Street in 1960 where they lived for 40 years before eventually moving to Hadley Lane. Joseph and Priscilla completed their family between 1957 and 1965, adopting four children that they are survived by today; Mark Federici and his wife Sue of Grafton, Arlene Phillips of Apopka, Fl, Michael Federici of Westboro, and Audrey Federici of New York City. He has 8 grandchildren; Bryan Federici, Teresa (Federici) Capistron, Lisa (Federici) Conlon, Jessica Phillips, Candice Phillips, William Marlow, Nicole Federici and Andrew Federici. He was predeceased by his grandson Kevin Phillips. He is survived by 6 great grandchildren.
Joseph earned a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration at Clark University in 1957 and later attended WPI’s School of Industrial Management at night, completing in May 1972. Joseph began working at Bay State Abrasives in 1954 as the Data Process Manager, the area that he started while in the Air Force. Joseph worked there for 35 years, finishing as the Customer Service Manager. Joseph was an active member in the Data Processing Management Association, serving in multiple roles during his almost 30 years, including Chapter President.
In 1989, Joseph began his second career at Westborough High School. He was a man of many hats for the school and sometimes viewed as the enforcer of rules. He became known to the students as “The Fed”. He retired from the school in 2008, but remained as a substitute school teacher for the grade schools until 2018. During his time with the school system, he kept the timeclock at high school basketball games, officiated track & field events, collected monies at the ice rink for games, as well as working the timeclock at soccer games. He was the Senior Class Adviser in 1991 and 1995.
Joseph was actively involved in many community sports programs, coaching Little League and Pony League baseball. He served on the Operating Committee for the Westboro Golf Course for 10 years. He was a football official since 1977 and a member of the Nobscot Valley Football Officials Association and the Central Massachusetts Conference of Football Officials. He officiated high school and college track meets during the spring seasons.
Joe was a passionate and active gardener, having learned the skill from his father, Anthony. His love for gardening was evident in the numerous gardens he created in his yards, as well as in the yards of his neighbors and even on the grounds of the Westborough State Hospital. Joe took great pride in growing his own produce and had a particular fondness for growing tomatoes. In his later years, he passed on his knowledge and expertise to his son, Michael, ensuring that his legacy would continue. Joe was a skilled cook who was known for his homemade pasta, particularly his gnocchis, as well as his sauces and his ability to can fruits and vegetables. He enjoyed cooking for big groups and was always happy to share his food with family, friends, coworkers, and even students.
His funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30AM on Monday, January 8, at St. Luke the Evangelist Church, 70 West Main Street, Westborough. A collation will be held immediately following the funeral Mass. A family burial will occur the following day at Hillside Cemetery in Sterling, MA at 11:00AM, all are welcome to attend.
Calling hours will be held on Sunday, January 7, from 2 to 5 PM in the Pickering & Son Westborough Funeral Home, 62 West Main Street, Westborough.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his memory to the Sandy Robichaud Fund at the Westborough Athletic Boosters Association.
