Joseph N. Resha Jr.

Joseph Norman Resha Jr., a long-time resident of Westwood, passed away April 27, 2023.  He was 84 years old.

Junior, Joey, Joe, Mr. Resha, Uncle Joe, Dad, Jidu. Born in 1939, the same year that Joseph Resha, Sr. founded United Curtain Co. Joe was a graduate of Dedham High School in 1956 and Boston College in 1960. He ran the family business for many years, and was still working into this decade. He was a father figure to little brother Tommy after the early loss of their father, and helped his two sisters take care of their mother Alice as she grew older. Joe loved his family most of all, and was so proud of the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren, and of his nieces, nephews and their children. He drew great joy in the late-blooming and somewhat surprising writing careers of both of his kids. Events that involved family and friends were his favorites.

He loved being at Lake Winnipesaukee, from years of skiing and swimming, to cocktail hours on the point, to passing July 4th traditions on to the next generation. He loved Boston College football games and the associated tailgate parties. He loved his Woodland family, playing golf with friends there and at many other courses, winning a few club tournaments along the way. He loved Naples, Florida, spending weeks and sometimes months there for dozens of years, another way to gather with friends and family, while avoiding the dreaded New England winter weather.

He loved his first house, moving to Fearing Drive in Westwood in 1970, raising his young family in a neighborhood with friends who would be with him for life. He loved building his Thatcher Street home, hosting so many parties there, from Ally's Sweet 16th birthday through his own 80th, including Christmas Eves, graduations, weddings, reunions, memorials, and more. And he still loved it there in later years, faced with declining health, but loving most the times when he was surrounded by his children and five grandchildren.

Joe was the dear and devoted husband of Rita (Khouri) and the late Madelyn (Camer) Resha.  Beloved father of Allyson Hayes and her husband Daniel of La Grange, IL; and James “Jay” Resha and his wife Kendra of Westwood.  Loving grandfather “Jidu” of Shannon, Kelsey and Erin Hayes, and Madelyn and Alexander Resha.  Dear brother of Ann Shehade of Chestnut Hill, Marion Ward of West Roxbury and her late husband Robert, Thomas Resha and his wife Lynne of Westwood.  He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Joe’s Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday May 3, 2023 at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of the Cedars of Lebanon Church 61 Rockwood St. Jamaica Plain. If you are attending the Funeral Mass, please go directly to the Church Wednesday morning.  Visiting hours will be held Tuesday 4-8 p.m. at the Kfoury Keefe Funeral Home 8 Spring St. (at the corner of Centre St.) WEST ROXBURY. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Joe’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Pl. Memphis, TN 38105.

Joe will be laid to rest at Mt. Benedict Cemetery in West Roxbury.

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