Joseph F. Philbin, Sr., 81, of Mill Street, died Monday, October 20, 2008 in the Rose Monahan Hospice Home.

   He leaves his wife of 53 years, June M. (Burke) Philbin; two sons, Michael J. Philbin of Barre and Joseph F. Philbin, Jr. of Rhode Island; two daughters, Ann M. Philbin and her husband Timothy Cross of Boston and Patti M. Philbin of Rhode Island; a sister, Ann I. Bottcher of Worcester; four grandsons, Conor, Ian, Jacob and William; and many nieces and nephews. A sister, Mae Alice Boyce, predeceased him. He was born and raised in Worcester, son of Frank G. and Sarah V. (Lawler) Philbin, and lived most of his life in Worcester and four years in Paxton.

   Joe was a graduate of St. Peter's High School and was a World War II Navy veteran serving aboard the USS Rockingham in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre. He worked for Mass. Electric for 40 years, retiring in 1989 as a Marketing Representative. He was a member of St. Columba Church in Paxton, the Knights of Columbus Alhambra 88 Council in Worcester and the American Legion Post 306 in Tatnuck Square. He was a member of the Democratic City Committee, was V.P. of the Worcester Taxpayers Association and a member of the Master Home Builders Association.

   Joe loved the beach, was an avid golfer and enjoyed walking around Elm Park.

   A Mass of Christian Burial for Joe will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, October 22nd, in St. Columba Church, 18 Richards Avenue, Paxton. Burial will follow at Worcester County Memorial Park, 217 Richards Avenue, Paxton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden is directing arrangements.