Joseph William Gardella, 92, passed away on April 25, 2025 at his home in Milford, MA. He was born on August 10, 1932 in Fall River, MA to Stephen and Hannah Gardella. Joseph grew up in Fall River, MA. He graduated from B.M.C. Durfee High School in 1949. After high school he attended college at Bradford Durfee Technical Institute (now University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth) in Fall River, MA where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Textile Engineering in 1954. He participated in sports during his undergraduate college years earning ten varsity letters in baseball, basketball and soccer. Joseph was drafted into the United States Army in November 1954 and served honorably until November 1956 with the 294th Field Artillery Battalion, Fort Bliss, TX as a Fire Direction Control Specialist. Joseph married the late Cecile (Poirier) Gardella in 1955 in Fall River, MA. They were happily married for 59 years.
Joseph was employed by the United States Army Soldier System Command, Natick, MA as a Supervisory Physical Scientist until his retirement in 1997. He worked at the Center for 25 years. While at the Soldier System Command his responsibilities included research, development, technical service and specification preparation for all clothing and individual equipment worn by the United States soldier. In his retirement years, he was an avid reader of mysteries; an ardent fan of the Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics and Bruins; and had a keen interest in computer/internet technology.
Joseph is survived by his seven children: Elizabeth Ann Gailor of Milford, MA; Mary Louise Johnson of Scarborough, ME; Joseph Gardella Jr. and his wife Jo-Ann of Chocorua, NH; Judith Silva and her husband Brian of Coventry, RI; Jeffrey Gardella and his wife Patti of Milford, MA; Christopher Gardella and his wife Cheryl of Douglas, MA; and Francis Gardella of Milford, MA. He is also survived by thirteen grand children: Daniel Gailor, Laura Gailor, Joseph Gardella III, J. Paul Gardella, Hannah Mento, Taylor Gardella, Nathan Silva, Ali Johnson Exley, Sarah Anania, Rachel Silva, Christine Gardella, Carmen Gardella, and Evan Gardella; by nine great grandchildren: Blaise, Rocco and Opie Tordoff; Emmett, Bodie, Blaire and Penny Gardella; Gray Gailor and Vincent Mento and by one sister: Angela Tripp of Dartmouth, MA; and by more than forty nieces and nephews.
Joseph was preceded in death by his parents Stephen and Hannah Gardella; his wife Cecile Gardella; eight brothers: Francis, Stephen, Charles, John, William, Paul, Robert and Donald Gardella; and two sisters: Gertrude Olivera and Virginia Burke.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday, May 7 at 10:00am at Sacred Heart Church, 5 East Main Street, Milford, MA. Burial will be private. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to a charity of one's choice