Joseph E Makin

Joseph E. Makin,68, on September 8th, 2024.  Beloved son of Mary Alice (Cawley) and John A. Makin and twin brother to Mary Elizabeth (all deceased), he is survived by his loving sisters, Kathleen Williams, Eileen Makin Wingate, and Maureen Mulcahy and her husband Willliam Mulcahy.  Richard Williams, deceased, was also a faithful and loving brother-in-law.

Beloved uncle to Rachel, Michael, Brian and his wife, April Williams, Brendan Mulcahy and his wife, Lindsay, Josh Wingate and his wife Mauri, Colleen Mulcahy Greenwood, and her husband Anthony Greenwood. 

Joe is also survived by his two cats, Tiny, and Mary. They were also members of his family, and he treated them as such.

Joe enjoyed many happy holidays and other occasions with his family, including his grandnieces and nephews, Sophie and Abby Greenwood, Parker and Finn Mulcahy and Kaya Jay and Wolf Atticus Wingate, and his younger cousin, James Cawley.

Joe was blessed by a large and loving extended family, which got together every December for the Cawley Family Christmas party.  He was particularly blessed by his friendship with cousin, Susan O’Connor Friel, who never hesitated to share her time and efforts with Joe.

In addition to family members, Joe enjoyed time and phone calls with longtime, faithful friends, Eddie Abrams and John Gilmore.  

Joe graduated from Catholic Memorial High School in West Roxbury where he played on the Varsity Baseball Team.  He continued his education at the University of Colorado and the University of Texas in Austin.

When Joe returned to Boston he held several positions, including one in City Hall.

Joe’s years while working for Roche Brothers in West Roxbury garnered him even more friends and he was fondly referred to as Big Joe.  He was a gentle giant and often kind to a fault.  For example, one time when he saw a woman struggling to carry her bags, he walked her all the way home and helped her put her groceries away.

Joe was an avid Red Sox fan and along with his friend Eddie Abrams took in every game, some in person, some enjoyed over the phone. 

Joe was a true animal lover and had many pets over the years.  He doted them with love and care.  He never said a bad word about anyone and found goodness in most people.  His love for the Kennedy family was obvious from the beautiful bust of John F. Kennedy on his desk to every book ever written about the Kennedy family. 

In lieu of flowers please make donations in his name to ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) or the Greater Boston Food Bank.

He can never be replaced.  We will miss him forever. 

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated in St. John Chrysostom Church, 4750 Washington St. on Monday September 16, at 11:00 am. Visiting hours in the church Monday morning starting at 9:30 am. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Interment St. Joseph Cemetery.