Joseph Richard Plati

Joe was born on October 11, 1937 in Winthrop, Massachusetts. He is predeceased by his parents, Dominic and Angela Plati and his sister, Rose Sullivan. Joe was raised in Everett, Massachusetts and graduated from Everett High School in 1955. His father was born in Italy, and Joe was the first in his family to attend college. Displaying at a young age the work ethic and intellect for which he would later become known, Joe paid his own way through Boston College, graduating in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science, magna cum laude and first in his major. Joe was awarded a Master of Business Administration from Northeastern University in 1978 and earned a Master of Science in Taxation from Suffolk University in 1996. Joe began his career in the accounting department of the New England Telephone Company and retired 35 years later as Director of Taxes for NYNEX Corporation. After retirement, Joe enjoyed a second career at Standex Corporation and later worked seasonally at H&R Block.

Joe found joy in simple pleasures and took great pride in his home and his ability to maintain it. Inside he was happiest at his workbench or desk, and outside he enjoyed tending to his lawn and garden. An avid skier, tennis player, and sailor, Joe exercised daily for most of his life, and completed the New York City Marathon. He was a champion napper and a devoted New England Patriots fan. A “straight-shooter” who always spoke his mind, Joe was highly respected for his integrity, loyalty, and sage counsel. He was frugal yet generous, gifted with the ability to make others laugh but also able to laugh at himself. Joe was a devout Catholic with a deep but quiet faith, and a longtime parishioner of St. Augustine Catholic Church in Andover, Massachusetts and of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Orleans, Massachusetts.

Joe first met Roberta Scully on a blind date when he was 18. They dated for a year and a half before parting ways, only to be reunited 5 years later. They married in 1965 and spent 34 years in Andover, Massachusetts, where they raised their family. In 2006, they retired to Eastham, Massachusetts on Cape Cod, where they built a home overlooking their beloved Town Cove and Nauset Beach (“the inlet”). Throughout nearly 57 years of marriage, Roberta supported Joe’s career, educational pursuits, and hobbies and lovingly nursed him through numerous health challenges. In his later years, Joe credited her for being his “angel” and was deeply grateful for her constant care and support.

Joe is survived by his loving wife, Roberta Plati, and four sisters and brothers: Carolyn Daniele, Mary Ann Callanan, Gregory Plati and George Plati. Joe’s greatest pride and joy were his daughter and son and their spouses: Julie Watkins (Ed) and Michael Plati (Laura), and his five cherished grandsons: Joseph, Aidan, and Matthew Watkins and Jimmy and Will Plati.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, October 8 at 10am at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 61 Canal Road, Orleans, Massachusetts 02653. Immediately following the funeral, burial will take place at Orleans Cemetery on Tonset Road.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joe’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.