Joseph "Joe" Eugene Diamond

Portland-Joseph (Joe) Eugene Diamond, 88, passed away peacefully on December 24, 2010, at his home surrounded by members of his loving family. He was born and raised in the Bronx, New York, the son of the late Alexander and Anna McCabe Diamond. In 1951, he married his true love, Dorothy Powers, and together they shared a wonderful 59 years. They lived in New York City for the first 12 years of their life together, and then relocated to Monroe, New York, where they lived for 40 years. Two years ago, they moved to Portland, Maine, to live with one of their daughters.

Like many of his peers, Joe served his country during World War II. He was a member of the 106th Field Artillery Battalion, 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. He served in the Pacific theatre as a radioman, and fought with the Infantry during its first combat assignment in November 1942, capturing the coral island of Makin. He was awarded the American Defense, Army Good Conduct, Army Occupation, Asiatic Pacific Campaign, Combat Service, Pacific Campaign, Victory over Japan, and World War II Victory medals. He enjoyed meeting and reminiscing with other veterans and attended Division reunions regularly. Joe took advantage of the GI bill and went to college after the war.

He graduated from Long Island University in 1954 with a Degree in political Science, and began his 40-year career as a civil servant with the New York State Department of Labor. Joe’s greatest loves were his family and politics.

His family and friends will always remember engaging him in political discourse for years to come. Two of his most memorable moments were seeing President Obama and having his picture taken with former President Clinton, both occurring this year. He enjoyed all types of music, from opera to rock and roll, with one moment bringing big band music, while the next would bring Motown.

In addition to his beloved wife, he is survived by his four daughters: Theresa Montez of Cortland, New York, Joanne (James) Barry of Cortland, New York, Debra Diamond (Dana Hurtubise) of Portland, Maine, and Denise (Jim) Linderman of Fort Montgomery, New York. He is survived by his grandchildren Regina and Andrea Montez, Brendan and Cassidy Barry, and Danielle and Erika Hurtubise. He also leaves his sisters Frances Fleming and Patricia Good as well as nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Thursday, December 30, 2010 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home 199 Woodford St. Portland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, December 31, 2010, at 10:00 AM at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church 673 Stevens Avenue, Portland. Burial with military honors will be at the Veteran’s Cemetery in Augusta in the spring.

Memorial donations may be made in Joe’s memory to VNA Home Health & Hospice, 50 Foden Road, South Portland, ME 04106.

Please visit www.jonesrichandhutchins.com for additional information and to sign Joe’s guestbook.