Joseph Wingert

HAVERHILL - Joseph Wingert passed away on April 22, 2021 peacefully at home with his loving family by his side at the age of 81.

Joseph Samuel Wingert was born on June 17, 1939, in Lawrence, MA. His parents were Melvin Wingert and Dorothy Wingert. He grew up with two sisters, Hannah (Wingert) Silverstein and Ellen (Wingert) Roberts Turner. By his family and friends, he was known as “Joe”.

In the mid 60’s, Joe met a young lady named Phylis (Garland) Clark, where she worked at Sears and Roebucks. They soon fell in love and raised five Children together, daughters Susan Clark, Patricia (Clark) Hollenbeck, Jean (Wingert) Desmarias, Jan (Wingert) Duda (fraternal twins), son Robert Wingert. Joe also had four children from a previous relationship, Heidi (Wingert) Smith, Lewis Wingert, Richard Wingert, Steven Wingert. On June 21, 1986, Joseph married his lifelong love, Phylis. Together they built a large family. Joe leaves behind five grandchildren, Kristine (Mulchahey) Hoy, her husband Brian Hoy, Nicholas Hollenbeck and his wife Jazmin Hollenback, Lee Anne Duda, Andrew Venditti and Courtney Venditti. Five great grandchildren, Ryleigh Hoy, Conner Gaudagno, Paisley Hoy, Liam Hollenbeck and Emmett Hollenbeck. His son in laws Rick Hollenbeck, Tom Duda, Bill Desmarais and daughter in-law Julie Wingert. Joe was also very fond of his brother in-law Philip Garland and his wife Franny Garland. We can’t forget his two cats. Dickens and Toby who were his close companions.

As a dad, we have wonderful memories of him. He liked to spend time down at Cape Cod, where he would pick us up and toss into the water for hours. He would come to our baseball, basketball and football games, our cheerleading competitions and chess competitions to cheer us on. There were times he would umpire a baseball game because the umpire didn’t show up. He was brave enough to teach us all how to drive. We would have family canoeing trips down the Ipswich River, and somehow, Dad and Mom’s canoe would get flipped over with lunch floating down the river. He loved card games, like 45’s and cribbage. Then there was his love of food. He enjoyed Chinese food, Seafood by the beach or Lobster Claw dessert at Mike's Bakery in Boston. He and mom also enjoyed spending weekends and vacation time in New Hampshire at their camp with family and friends. Especially the times they spent with his in-laws, Philip and Franny at the camp. They were the best of friends, the four of them.

As a young man, he ran a few business enterprises. He owned and operated an auto repair shop and gas station in Jamaica Plains, MA. Then he owned and drove his own taxicab, later went to work for a manufacturing company in Malden, Ma where he worked his way up to sales, he also worked for a wheelchair van transportation company in Haverhill, MA. He finally retired at the age of 70. He took up painting at the senior center, where he painted with watercolors and drew with colored pencils. He had painted his great grandson, Ryleigh, as a baby. He was so proud of it, showing it off to everyone. Raving about his first great-grandchild. Many more grandchildren followed. Dad will be greatly missed by his family. His wife joined him a little over a year later. Now they are together once again.

Private Celebration of Life for both Phylis and Joseph Wingert to follow on August 20, 2022. Arrangements by Driscoll Funeral Home, Haverhill. For guestbook, visit www.driscollcares.com

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