Joseph Maciel, 89, Had Great Heart and Humor

Joseph Maciel, son of the late Raul and Rose Maciel, died Sunday, Feb. 19, four days before his birthday. He was 89.

Joseph, or Joe as he was better known, had been a resident of Windemere Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Oak Bluffs for the past six-and-a-half years.

Joe worked as a carpenter's helper and a painter before going to work for the town of Tisbury. Upon his retirement from municipal service, he worked part-time for Woodland Garden Center.

Joe had a very big heart, was kind to everyone and was helpful to anyone who needed a hand. He had a good sense of humor, and was really liked by those who knew him. He was happy to live quietly in the family home with his youngest brother, Tom, until Tom's death in May 1999. Things changed drastically for Joe at that time. He went to live in Oak Bluffs with his sister for a short time, but the old homestead called him back. However, he took a bad fall a few weeks after returning home, and after a stay in the hospital became a resident of Windemere.

In addition to his parents, Joe was predeceased by four brothers, George, Manuel M., Raul Jr. and Tom, and one sister, Emma Amaral. He is survived by two brothers, Alfred of New Bedford and James of Zephyrhills, Fla., and three sisters, Anna Constantine of New Bedford, Mary Hofmann of Holyoke and Evelyn Christopher of Oak Bluffs. Joseph is also survived by many nieces and nephews, as well as great and great-great-nieces and nephews and lots of cousins.

A graveside service will be held Saturday, Feb. 25, at 11 a.m. at the family plot at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Vineyard Haven.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Martha's Vineyard, P.O. Box 2549, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557. Please specify the Christopher Memorial Fund. Monies from this fund will be available for Hospice patients to use for medical supplies and prescriptions not currently covered by Medicare or other insurance companies on the Vineyard.

Joseph's family would like to extend its deepest appreciation and thanks to the staff and doctors who took care of Joe while he was a resident at Windemere. May God bless you all.

Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs. Visit www.ccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book and information.