Joseph A. Weber, Jr. (Joe), age 71, passed away in his sleep from cancer at Cove’s Edge in Damariscotta, Maine on Thursday, February 2, 2017. In recent years he had health setbacks, but always overcame them through medical care, his spirituality, and his fellowship with others. Relationships were a major focus of his daily life.

He was born in Lynn, Massachusetts on June 6, 1945 to the late Eileen (Murphy) Weber and Joseph A. Weber, Sr. Joe attended St. Pius V School and St. Mary’s High School in Lynn. As a teenager he worked the counter at Gowan’s drug store where he perfected his mocha frappe. He was a major fan of the Boston Red Sox, the Boston Celtics, and Looney Tunes, especially Bugs Bunny. Music was always part of his life. He would always be excited to share a new album upon entering his apartment. Many jacket covers were read over the years. He attended many concerts with friends and later took his daughters to an Arlo Guthrie concert whenever the opportunity arose.

An avid reader, Joe needed his Boston Globe, Boston Herald and the N.Y. Times each and every day. In addition, he was a serial book reader ready to engage in lively conversation about the latest book he was reading and/or politics. Joe spent time when he could, writing ideas and thoughts and he had many stories to share, including his cross-countries trip (U.S. and Canada) as a young man with Mortimer, the puppet.

Joe graduated from Salem State College (now Salem State University) in Salem, Massachusetts with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree in 1968. He started his teaching career in 1969 in Lynn, Massachusetts, teaching for the first few years of his career at both Breed Junior High School and Corbett Junior High School. Later he became the Parent Coordinator for the Title 3 program. He also worked as a planner for the Model Cities Program. Joe wrote a grant that led to the development of the Lynn Community Schools Program. He was also instrumental in the creation of the Aster Street Alternative School. These are just some of the contributions Joe made to the City of Lynn after graduating from Salem State.

Joe always went to the sea. He especially liked standing on the rocks watching the waves. He probably has been on nearly every rock outcropping from Nahant, Massachusetts to Rockland, Maine. He eventually followed his good friends (Sharon and Kevin McDermott) to Maine to live a quieter life and continue teaching. He taught 48 years, just two years shy of his goal to teach 50 years. Joe has touched many lives in all of his classrooms over his career. He has taught in several districts in the Mid-Coast Maine area, most recently at the Mid-Coast School of Technology in Rockland, Maine. At one point in his teaching career in Maine he was selected to go to Norman, Oklahoma for a weeklong workshop for teachers at the National Storm Prediction Center. He was honored to be selected and very excited for the opportunity to learn more about weather and climate.

Joe is survived by his two daughters, Kiara Weber and Kelsey Weber. His sister, Maryellen (Weber) Smith, and his nephew, Thomas Martin, predeceased him. He also leaves his niece, Ruthann Martin-Rehrmann and her husband, Jim Martin-Rehrmann, of Florence, Massachusetts; his nephew, Skipper Martin, and niece, Jodi Martin; great nephew Matthew, great nieces Shawna and Sarah, all of Beverly, Massachusetts; great niece Reena Paradis and her husband, Nick, and great niece Emma Martin-Rehrmann; and great-great nephews, Evan and Cameron and great-great niece, Lauren. Joe also leaves his ex-wife, Kerry of Bremen, Maine and his former brother-in-law, Donald Martin of Lynn, and many close friends, colleagues and students. Joe always had a cat or two share his life with him. He leaves his beloved cats, Henry and Prudence, in the good care of his daughter Kelsey.

A gathering of family and friends will be held on Friday, February 17, 2017 from 5-7 PM at Hall’s of Boothbay, 975 Wiscasset Road, Boothbay, Maine 04537. A celebration of Joe’s life will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2017 at 1:00PM to be held at Hall’s of Boothbay, 975 Wiscasset Road, Boothbay, Maine 04537, with Reverend Bob Dorr officiating. A reception will immediately follow the service.

Donations in Joe’s memory may be made to: The Alex X. Goode Scholarship Fund at The First Bank, 223 Main Street, P.O. Box 940, Damariscotta, Maine 04543; 207-563-3195, (donations may be made at any First Bank location, just mention the fund name), or My Brother’s Table, 98 Willow Street, Lynn, MA 01901; (781) 595-3224

Hall’s of Boothbay has care of the arrangements. To extend online condolences, please visit www.hallfuneralhomes.com.