Joseph E Fox

Mr. Joseph E. Fox, age 80, of 24 Lucia Dr. Pittsfield, died Sunday morning at his home after a brief illness. He was born in Pittsfield on Feb. 11, 1938, the son of the late Edward W. "Red" Fox and Gertrude Mack Fox. He was a 1955 graduate of St. Joseph's High School where he excelled as a four year varsity football player. Continuing his education, he played varsity football at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia, Canada.
He was a starting lineman on the 1958 team that was one of the finest in school history winning the Maritime and Eastern Canadian Championship's and competing in the Canadian National Championship. The team also won the prestigious Purdy Cup.
Awarded a baccalaureate degree in English, he began his teaching and coaching career in 1959 at North Babylon Junior High School, North Babylon, N.Y. Following his three years there, he returned to Pittsfield in 1962 after accepting a teaching appointment at Pittsfield High School and an assistant football coaching position at St. Joe's. In 1968, he accepted an appointment to become a Guidance Counselor at PHS for several years. Joe was appointed vice principal at Crosby Junior High School in 1972 and served as such until 1978 when he became the Vice Principal at Taconic High School. Following his retirement from Taconic in 1995, he returned to the classroom to teach at his alma mater, St. Joseph's Central High School for 3 years. A member of the Monday morning Quarterback Club Hall of Fame, he was selected to the St. Joseph's High School Inaugural Hall of Fame Class of 2011 as a member of the Legends Team. Continuing a life-long love of the arts he was employed by the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood for 13 years, serving as Maitre D' at the Members Club Tent a position he thoroughly enjoyed. Additionally Joe enjoyed his 25 plus year membership at the Wahconah Country Club. Known for his ability to communicate with people on all levels and his mentoring of generations of local youth, he also served as a guardian ad litem for the Juvenile Court in Pittsfield. Gifted with exceptional communication skills and a legendary wit, he possessed the ability to make everyone feel like a " good friend ". Further, he never passed a U.S. Veteran without taking the time to shake their hand and thank them for their "service". In that same spirit, the family would like to thank the nurses and caregivers from HospiceCare in The Berkshires as well as the staff and nurses at Hillcrest and BMC for their exceptional care.
He and his wife of 58 years, the former Patricia A. Smith, were married Aug. 22, 1959.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his three sons, Kevin P. Fox of Buckland, Ma. (daughter in- law Karen), Edward W. Fox (Karen) of Montpelier, Vt. and Joseph E. Fox, Jr. of Windsor, Ma., his sister, Doreen Vilot of Pittsfield, his three grandchildren, Morgan Fox, Cassidy Fox and Erin Rowley (husband Jeff) and several beloved nieces and nephews. His sister, Lucille Breault, predeceased him.
Fox, Joseph E., age 80, died May 6th. Calling hours at the DEVANNY-CONDRON FUNERAL HOME will be THURSDAY from 4 to 7. Funeral services will be held FRIDAY morning at 9:15 from the funeral home followed with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:00 am at St. Charles Church with the Rev. Michael Wood, administrator, officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to HospiceCare in The Berkshires and/or The Monday Morning Quarterback's Club in care of the funeral home.