Joseph Cantlin

CANTLIN — The funeral Mass will be held in Saint Bernard’s Parish at Saint Camillus Church, 333 Mechanic Street, on Saturday, October 20, at 9:30am. Calling hours will be held from 9:00-9:30 prior to the funeral mass, at the church with a small gathering held at a private residence after the funeral.



Joseph Cantlin of Fitchburg; 81

FITCHBURG — Joseph Cantlin, 81, of Fitchburg, passed away peacefully after a brief period of illness on October 15th, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on September 30, 1937 in Philadelphia to the late Joseph James Cantlin and Florence Reiter, both of Philadelphia. He married Joyce Ann Weisel, also of Philadelphia on her 21st birthday, in the city of Philadelphia, PA and were married for 56 years before her passing.

Joe graduated from Northeast Catholic High School in Philadelphia, where he was an actor, writer and producer for several school plays and was the same for other area high schools.  He also attended Temple University in Philly as well as Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner, MA.  He retired from the United States Army as a Sargeant First Class working in Military Intelligence.  He served during the Vietnam War and has received numerous medals and commendations for his 20 years of service to our country.  After his retirement he continued working for the Department of Defense as a Technical Writer.

Joseph enjoyed writing, creating comics and playing online poker.  His favorite moments were times spent with his children, grandchildren and his newly born great grandchildren.  He was looked up to by his family and was considered not just a family member but also a best friend.  His humor, vast knowledge of history and ways of telling stories will all be sorely missed.

He is predeceased by his wife, Joyce and survived by his son, Joseph of Framingham and his daughter, Missy Bell and her husband Michael, of Fitchburg. He leaves behind, but will always watch over his beloved grandchildren, Stephanie Wild and her husband, Chris of West Boylston, Dallas Cantlin of Boston and Daniel and Austin Bell of Fitchburg, MA. He also leaves behind his sister, Mary Jane DiDonna of Carneys Point, New Jersey and his brother, Jimmy Cantlin of Philadelphia, PA, as well as his several nieces and nephews in NJ and PA.