Obituary of Joseph John Leccese

Joseph John Leccese, retired Postmaster and Manager at the Post Office passed away after a short illness on Wednesday afternoon, August 20, 2014. He was 59 years old. Joe was born in Melrose, the son of Italian immigrants, the late Pasquale and Congetta Leccese. Joe grew up in Woburn and was a graduate of Austin Prep. High School. He started as a letter carrier at the Post Office at the age of 18. He worked his way up the ranks to become the Postmaster of Salem for 21 years. He finished his career at the Post Office as the manager of Operations Support in Boston. After his retirement, he spent 5 more years working as a transportation manager for Preferred Pharmacy Solutions. Joe’s outgoing personality and pleasant managerial style made him well-liked and respected among his peers. Joe appreciated life, his family, and friends. He played softball in Wakefield on the “Jeffrey’s” for many years. He was the oldest player on the team by at least 10 years, but that didn’t matter to Joe. He embraced being the elder statesman and sharing his wisdom and experience with the guys. He also served on the league’s Board of Directors. He coached his sons little league and farm league teams for many years. He loved the game and sharing his passion with sons and other players. Joe was a huge Patriots and Red Sox fan. He was a talent cook, but also loved going out to eat. He never had a single favorite restaurant, but rather enjoyed traveling all over experiencing a wide variety of eating establishments and styles. He was an avid fresh water fisherman with Horn Pond being his first and favorite fishing spot. He and his wife Rose enjoyed testing their luck at Mohegan Sun, Atlantic City, and Las Vegas. They lovingly raised their 4 children in Reading and had spent the last 11 years living in Stoneham. He inspired his children many life lessons, traits, and qualities which they will use in their daily lives. Even as his illness progressed, Joe was more concerned about his family’s wellbeing and that those he loved and touched celebrate rather than mourn his life. Joe was the loving husband of 32 years of Rosemary “Rose” (Yasi) Leccese. He was the caring and supportive father of Nicholas Leccese of Annapolis, MD, Stephanie Healy & her husband Phil of North Reading, Anthony Leccese of Somerville and Angela Leccese of North Andover. He was the brother of Gilda Scalera of FL, John Leccese of FL and Daniel Leccese of Woburn. Funeral Services will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Saturday, Aug. 23 at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Stoneham. Visiting hours Friday 4-8 p.m. Memorials in Joe’s name may be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute – Jimmy Fund, 10 Brookline Place West, 6th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445-7226 www.dana-farber.org