Andover - Joseph "Joe" Fragala, 103, of Lawrence, MA passed away on Friday, May 8 at Andover Manor with his loving family by his side.

Born and raised in Lawrence, Massachusetts, Joe was the cherished son of the late Salvatore and Adeline Fragala, and grew up in a close-knit Italian-American family at 98 Park Street, a home full of music, laughter, and family.

Joe proudly served his country during World War II as a member of the 70th Troop Carrier Squadron, U.S. Army Air Corps, flying transport missions throughout the South Pacific. He

returned home with a quiet pride in his service and a deep love for the country he defended. After the war, Joe built a long working life grounded in hard work and pride in a job well done. He spent years on the assembly line at Avco, contributing to the company's defense manufacturing for the U.S. military, and later founded and ran his own commercial cleaning company, serving local businesses throughout the area.

Joe married the love of his life, Tess, and together they built a beautiful family. He and Tess were pillars of the local Elks Lodge Number 65, where Joe served as Sergeant at Arms and Tess made history as the Lodge's first woman Exalted Ruler. After losing Tess, Joe was lucky enough to find love again in his later years with Lorraine, whom he married last summer in a heartfelt celebration of love at Andover Manor. She was by his side when he passed.

Anyone who walked through Joe's front door knew exactly what kind of man he was. His home was the gathering place, the big cookout, the party around the pool, music playing, drinks flowing, plates piled high. Joe took pride in making sure everyone was fed, everyone had what they needed, and most of all, that he was right there in the middle of it with them. Being present with the people he loved was everything to him. He was the life of the party in every other way, too. He played piano and sang the standards, dazzled the grandkids with magic and card tricks no one ever quite figured out, and could turn any night into a dance floor, even on roller skates. He was an excellent swimmer, a 45s card champion, a horseback rider with the boots to prove it, and a proud former Boy Scout of Troop 16 at Saint Lawrence Church. He never met a dog he didn't want to bring home, and he was the kind of man who could fix almost anything, and knew exactly who to call when he couldn't.

Above all, Joe was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend. His warmth, generosity, and loyalty touched everyone who knew him. Joe is survived by his wife, Lorraine; his daughters, Joyce and Justine; his siblings, John and

Rose; his grandchildren, Jeffrey, Nathan, Kathleen, Matthew, and Joseph; nine cherished greatgrandchildren; and many loving nieces, nephews, and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Tess; his son, Dennis; his parents; and his brothers, Freddy, Tony and Bobby.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to visiting hours on Thursday, May 14, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Cataudella Funeral Home, Methuen. A Funeral Mass celebrating Joe's life will be held on Friday, May 15, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Augustine's Church, Andover. Entombment will follow at Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Lawrence.