Joseph Charles Masseur

Joseph Charles Masseur, 70, passed away Saturday, September 9, 2023 on a quiet morning in his home surrounded by family.

From Rhode Island, he was the youngest son of the late Armand and Margaret (Gumbley) Masseur. Joe was the beloved husband of Nancy Joan Masseur; he is survived by his children – Joseph C. Masseur, Jr., Lauren E. Masseur, Andrew C. Masseur (Allison), and Robert C. Masseur, Victor M. Rodas IV (Ginger), Vanessa V. Miller (Scott), and Peter L. Notman; his 17 grandchildren – Layne (Ryan Middleton), Armand, Gabrielle, Riley, Josephina, Madeleine, Natalie, Orion, Levi, Sofia, Marley, Sam, Starlyn, Audrey, Virginia, Ethan and Emma; and his great-grandchildren – William, Oliver, and Isabel. He was preceded in death by his respected elder brother, Donald J. Masseur and sister-in-law, Elizabeth A. Masseur.

Born October 19, 1952, Joe was the apple of his mother’s eye. He served dutifully as an altar boy at St. Kevin’s Catholic Church, but preferred the baseball or football field over the pew. He inherited his strong work ethic from both parents and his sense of mischief straight from his father. Joe was a big jokester and pulled many a prank on friends and family, much to their chagrin.

Joe attended Bishop Hendricken High School and graduated from Pilgrim High School in 1971. Shortly thereafter, he married Paula Mae Stetson and had four children, raising them in the same neighborhood where he grew up in Warwick. He began his career in plumbing as an apprentice and quickly established his own service business.

Big Joe moved to Arizona in 1983 at age 31 and spent the next 40 years of his life in this desert that he loved to call home. He met Nancy Joan in 1985 and finally convinced her to marry him 13 years later. They tied the knot on February 14, 1998. For these nearly 40 years together, Nancy has been Joe’s partner in all things – nurturing their business and our family and caring for one another through all that life brings.

Joe will be remembered for the many lives he touched, personally and professionally. Those who know him from Masseur Plumbing and Above All Plumbing will remember him the same as his friends and family do, because he cared deeply for his work family. He was generous, principled, hard-working, and earned a reputation for taking care of people.

He enjoyed busting chops, a smooth cigar, working in his woodshop, swinging a club, watching his grandchildren grow, and a long drive with Nancy. In his final weeks, he shared his love and gratitude for us all and reminded us of the importance of family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Big Joe’s honor to H.A.R.T – Homeless Animals Rescue team, Donate .

Livestream Link