Joseph James Sonia, Jr

Of Newton, MA, and Delray Beach, FL, passed on June 14, 2024, after a year-long battle with cancer. Joe spent his early years in South Boston, MA, before his family moved to West Newton. He is survived by his life partner of nearly 48 years, Jane Gopan. Also, his daughter, Jennifer Sonia, and partner Steve Catino of Plaistow, NH. He is grandfather to Brendan Fretz, of Groveland, MA, and Christopher Sonia and partner Kimberly Cook of Groveland; great-grandfather to Noah, Blake, Vivienne and Maiyah.

He also leaves his brother, Richard Sonia and wife Laurie, of Ashland; nieces and nephews Richard and wife, Justine; Michelle, husband Michael Barry, and son, John; Michael and Corrinne Sonia, daughters Haley and Lexie; and Rachel and Matt Dalamora.

Joe joins deceased pets Sweat Pea and Rusty. He leaves beloved Bengal cat, Ducati, who could be found nearly every morning spending time with Joe in the backyard, and, on Florida evenings, Joe took him on stroller rides around the neighborhood.

Joe loved to chat and spend time with family and friends. His favorite holidays were spent with Jane’s nephew and family, the Cohens: Scott, Christine, Minna and Kaia. He also loved reminiscing with his cousin in Florida, Ken Sousa, and wife Midge and, in Ashland, with brother Rick and wife Laurie.

A Viet Nam era veteran, Joe managed warehouse operations for American Textile/Robert Allen Fabrics for fifteen years. After leaving the company, he worked as a stone mason for ten years before joining Veterans Transportation/First Call, where he worked for twenty-seven years, until his retirement in 2023.

Joe was a man of diverse interests. He loved sports and could recite baseball player stats off the tip of his tongue. He played softball for Newton leagues where he became an umpire. He was a member of the DeNucci championship softball team. Candlepin bowling was a favorite sport and he was a member of the New England Candlepin Pro Tour. As a member of the Newton Elks, he also competed in their tournaments.

Joe was a voracious reader. He always had a book with him. His interests varied from the classics to mysteries, biographies, novels and sports. He also had a collection of every issue of Mad and Heavy Metal Magazines. His idea of a vacation could find him reading on Jane’s mother’s porch in Maine, his “in-laws” Charlotte and Michael Jerace and Melissa’s screened room in Truro, or on the beach in Delray.

He might not tell people that he enjoyed following Jane around art shows, but he always wanted to buy at least one piece of art!

Foremost in Joe’s hobbies was singing. His father, Joseph Sonia, Sr, introduced him to recordings of swing and classical music. He began playing the violin when he was six years old. His father would put Rachmaninov on the record player and tell him to play. He loved singing harmonies with his dad as well.

In the early 1970s, he was a member of the band, Caspar. Later in life, he again took up singing with bands and reunited with bandmates Neil Morris, Steve Satter, Paul Mahoney, and, with the addition of Mac Hayes, recorded as the Joe MacNeil Project.

At Joe’s request, there will be no ceremonies. He wanted to be remembered as a good person, who cared for others and put a smile on people’s faces.