Joseph John Harzbecker Jr., of West Roxbury, died Tuesday, March 5 at Mass General Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. Born on October 20, 1959,      he was the beloved son of Anne (Lansing) Harzbecker and the late Joseph J. Harzbecker Sr.; Joe also leaves his sister, Susan Christine, nephew Daniel Edelston of Westwood., and many cousins and friends, among whom is Jim Farrell, his high school buddy.

Joe began his life at St. Elizabeth's Hospital Brighton, grew up in Lexington, and graduated from Lexington High where he was president of the Chess Club.  Joe was awarded a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Drew University in New Jersey, a Master's in Library Science from Simmons College in Boston, and a Master's in History from the University of Mass, Boston; he also attained AHIP certification.  Joe was the Head of Reference and Electronic Collections Management at the Boston University School of Medicine, Alumni Medical Library ,for 35 years. He was the author of many professional articles.

Joe was a historian and an artist, whose art works more recently hang in local West Roxbury shops. His hobbies also included lap swimming, cycling, stamp collecting, and running in local races. His love of travel and history  took him to China, Malaysia, Romania, Germany, and most of the Western Europe.

Joe was a member of the Knights of Columbus Mount Pleasant Council 98, where he was a past Grand Knight.  He was a past secretary in the Boylston Schul-Verein German Social Club in Walpole.  Joe was a quiet and humble guy – a man of deep faith - and a weekly communicant at Holy Name Church in West Roxbury.

Friends and relatives are respectfully invited to join the family for Joe's Funeral on Friday, March 15, 2024 at 10:00am at Holy Name Church, 1689 Centre Street in West Roxbury.  Burial will follow at the Newton Cemetery, 791 Walnut St, Newton Centre.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Joe's memory to Doctors Without Borders USA, P.O. Box 5030, Hagerstown, MD 21741.

Lawler & Crosby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

The family would especially like to thank the neuroscience doctors, nurses and staff at Mass General Hospital for their excellent care of Joe and kindness to the family.