Consigli Ruggerio Funeral Home

Joseph Oneschuk, Sr., 85

Joseph Oneschuk, Sr., 85, of Milford, MA, passed away peacefully at the Blaire House in Milford on Saturday, February 16, 2019.

Born and raised in Milford, he was the son of Alexander and Rosalie Oneschuk.  He was the brother of the late Alexander Oneschuk, Jr.,  Alice Oneschuk, Tina Oneschuk, Manya Oneschuk, Olga Anderson, Lillian O. Smart, and Rosalie Calhoun. 

     He is survived by Kathleen (Dowd) Oneschuk, his beloved wife of 53 years, his daughter Kate Meo and her husband Chris Meo, his son Joseph Oneschuk, Jr. and his wife Ashley Nelson Oneschuk and his granddaughter, Cadence May Oneschuk.  He is survived by his sister Anna Parente, wife of the late James Parente, as well as many nieces and nephews.

               After graduating from Milford High School in 1951, he earned his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Music Education from Boston University.  He served as Band Master Sergeant and Chief Instructor at the U.S. Army Band Training School at Fort Dix in New Jersey.  In 1958, he began his public school teaching career in the Leicester Public Schools, MA.  He then accepted the position of Band Director at Framingham South High School in 1963.  In 1968, he became the Director of Fine Arts for the Framingham Public Schools, a position that he held until his retirement in 1999, after which he became a professor and Chair of the Music Education Department at the Boston Conservatory for two years.

               In addition to performing professionally on trumpet and upright bass, he was a member of MMEA (Massachusetts Music Educator Association), MENC (Music Educators National Conference), the Worcester Musicians Union, and EPRTA (Eastham Part-time-Resident Taxpayers Association).  Joseph held many leadership positions in his career.  He served as president of MMEA and EPTRA, as well as Manager and Chairperson for District, State, and Eastern Division Music Educator Conferences.  He was named a Licensure and Recertification Liaison to the Massachusetts Department of Education.  He was honored as a recipient of the Lowell Mason Music Educator Award and the MMEA Distinguished Service Award. Locally, Joseph was well known as the conductor of the Milford Concert Band for 28 years. He was proud to be elected Mayor of Prospect Heights in 1975, and he enjoyed presiding over events as the Master of Ceremonies at the Milford Portuguese Club and other local venues.  For over fifteen years, he served as the Choir Director at the Milford Congregational Church.  He loved spending time on Cape Cod, cooking, reading, performing, attending concerts, and being with family and friends.  His favorite motto was, “No matter where you roam, Prospect Heights is still your home.”

         Visiting hours will be held at the Consigli-Ruggerio Funeral Home, 46 Water Street, Milford, on Tuesday February 19, 2019, from 3-6pm.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 17 Winter Street, Milford, at 10am on Wednesday February 20, 2019, followed by burial in the Vernon Grove Cemetery in Milford.

          In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute at: www.dana-farber.org/gift.


Guest Book

I hope this message finds Mrs. Oneschuck. I was a student at Framingham South high school from 1966 thru 1969. Mr. Oneschuck was a teacher and mentor of mine over that time. I valued his counsel greatly. He was a wonderful and joyous man. I also remember you teaching in Framingham as well. Please except my sincere and heartfelt condolences. I hope you are doing well. God bless.
Nick DiCicco


I'm so sorry to hear of Joe's Passing. He was such a great choir director and really great person. I will always remember him fondly. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. Helen Thibeault
Helen Thibeault


Our sympathies are with you and yours. The Connolly Family (Peter, Carol, Carson, and Ada)
Carol Connolly


Mr Oneschuk was the first person to explain the Math relationships within Music for me at South High. I know he helped many students there. In an intimidating atmosphere as school was, he never made me feel I was in something too deep for me. It was a delight to meet his son at a performance in Wayland many years later.
Dave Bernard


I am very sorry to hear of Joe's passing. My condolences to Joe's family. Joe was such a good role model as I was an up and coming musician in my teens. In many ways I wouldn't be the professional musician I am today, and person, without Joe's guidance, professionalism, and his love of people. He will truly be missed. It's not often that people like Joe walk this Earth. He was truly one of a kind.
Kyle Bertulli


To the Oneschuk family I send my sincere condolences. May the memories you have of Joseph carry you through this difficult time. Pray for God's comfort and support and may you all have peace as you approach his memorial service. -Philippians 4:6, 7
AJ


Please accept our sincere condolences for your loss. May he Rest In Peace.
Jenny and Bill Merhej and family


Dear Kate: Thank you for your email today about Joe. I do not have enough words to describe my personal and professional relationship with him. He was my mentor and guidance in this crazy world of music education. I am unable to attend Tuesday due to weather and having to make longterm care arrangements for my wife, Eleanor. It was a great run for Joe and I. His memory is deep in my heart. Thank you once again. Chord-ially, Tony Di Giore
Tony Di Giore, SFA '53 & '56


Oh my heart breaks to learn that our dearest Joe has left us. There is comfort in knowing that he has gone Home and is surely being welcomed back vibrantly and with great fanfare. For many decades, Joe has had a deep influence and was such a profound role model for my own professional life. His love of music and music education, deep and broad professional knowledge, ever-present engagement in countless professional commitments; his exemplary leadership; his profound understanding of human nature; his warm and approachable personality; his impish and ever-ready wit; and his generous compassion were truly monumental! Memories of our many many professional encounters over decades bring a smile to my face and an overflowing surge of gratitude and affection to my heart. God bless you, Joe. You are one of the wise ones. You are one-of-a-kind, and your legacy is unsurpassed! Rest well, dear friend. Bless you. Thank you.
Sandra (Sandi) Nicolucci


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Consigli Ruggerio Funeral Home
46 Water Street
Milford, MA 01757
Telephone: 508-473-0513
Tollfree: 800-675-0513
Fax: 508-634-3662

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