Joseph R. Pouche

Of Everett.  Passed away peacefully at home with his loving family beside him at the age of 99.  He was raised and educated in Everett, MA and was a master electrician by trade. Though he had various employers throughout the years, he fondly shared stories of his time working in the Statehouse with his family. His greatest roles however were as husband, daddy, and Papa.

   He was honorably discharged from the Navy having served on the torpedoed USS Canberra (CA-70) during World War II. In 1949, he married Catherine P. Hurley and they raised their family in Everett.  Summers were often spent at the family cottage in Milton, NH. Joe was often behind the wheel of their boat while daughter’s, Jan and Debbie, water skied behind.  He loved to garden (tomatoes being his favorite), grill up cheeseburgers and hot dogs for cookouts, and enjoyed watching the Red Sox or Pats on T.V.   Winters were spent in Clearwater, FL, with Joe making the drive up into his 70’s. During the holidays he would be found in the kitchen using his electric knife to carve the family meal, silently sneaking pieces to “make sure it was done.” He enjoyed 7 and 7’s but truly loved a really great Scotch.

    He was the embodiment of a family man. He loved a good joke or prank (accompanied by a wink or grin) and took delight in making his family laugh by crossing his eyes, sticking out his tongue, or just giving a raspberry. When his children were little, he would wake them to the tune of “Reveille.”, cook them breakfast daily, and shuttle them to and from school.   As his daughters grew and had families of their own, his love extended onto his two grandchildren: Jen and Greg. He taught them how to Candlepin bowl, mini golf, and play Crazy 8’s. As they got older, he taught Greg to play Poker and Jen how to drive. Jen and Greg will always remember Papa taking them on a road trip to Cooperstown.

   Joe was at the ready to help anyone in need and epitomized altruism. He will always be remembered for his love and devotion to his family, the methodical and meticulous ways he approached tasks, his ardent love for rescue animals, and his overall “goodness.”

 Joe is survived by his beloved wife of seventy-three years Catherine P. Pouche, his devoted daughter, Janis Schmid, a son Rick Schmid, two grandchildren: Jen Pouche-McDevitt and her husband Sean, and Gregory Schmid. He also leaves behind extended family who will miss him dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, and two of his children: Catherine and Debbie. There will be no services at this time. A funeral will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to All Care Hospice: allcare.org/donate.

   “When we lose someone, we love we must learn not to live without them, but to live with the love they left behind.”