Joseph Viator

Joseph Viator, 91, of Ipswich passed away peacefully at home on July 1, surrounded by his family. 

He was born in Gloucester on November 14, 1930 to Edith May (Wright) and Joseph Viator Sr. and grew up on Harbor Terrace during the Great Depression. He was a wharf rat.

Joseph attended Gloucester schools, and his first job was putting up ships' orders for Charlie Ellis' store on Friend Street.In the early 1950s he worked on the Route 128 project, blasting ledge as the highway was being built through Manchester and Essex. He later fished out of Gloucester on the Saint Nicholas, and also worked as a lumper unloading fishing boats and steamer ships.He served in the Yankee Division of the Army National Guard in the 1950s.

He became a bricklayer, but his real talent was as a stone mason. His fine work is still seen today in many buildings from here to Boston, and in sturdy stone walls and homesall over Cape Ann. He was proud of the custom home he built for his family in Essex in the early 1970s.

Joe was married to Ruth M. Amero, with whom he had four children. In the 1950s they were part of the Gloucester Skippers square dancing club. They took their kids on lots of fun camping trips over the years.

Joe grew up singing songs on the street corner with friends and neighbors after hearing Jimmie Rodgers on the radio. He shared an appreciation for country music with his father and sisters, and inspired many a sing-a-long when he strummed his guitar and played harmonica at family get-togethers. His great love of music and dancing became the legacy he gave to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Joe enjoyed sharing good times with his friends. He was a motorcycle enthusiast who liked riding the back roads alone on his Harley as much as he liked partying with his brothers in the Aces & Eights, who affectionately called him Smokin’ Joe. He made several road trips with his buddies over the years, including memorable rides to Daytona and Sturgis.

Joseph is survived by his four children: sons Joseph Viator III of Gloucester, and Stanford Owen Viator and his wife Paula of Ipswich, and daughters Julieann Metcalf and her husband Matthew of Rockport, and Loriann Viator and her husband Stephen Smith of Gloucester.  

He was loved by his 5 granddaughters: Jessica, Jacqueline and Jamie Viator, Emerald Rae, and Eden Pool and her husband Lukas, and grandson Garry Hutchings Jr. He leaves behind great-granddaughter Rosamund Pool, and brand-new great-grandson Quentin Joseph Pool.

He is survived by his sister Edith M. Dulong, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his sister Rose Surrette, and brothers-in-law Herman Surrette and Norman Dulong.

A graveside funeral service will be held Friday July 8th. at 12 noon  in the South Side Cemetery  75 County Road, Ipswich.  Visiting hours are scheduled for Friday July 8th.   from 9:30–11:30 am at the Morris Funeral Home, 45 North Main Street, Ipswich, relatives and friends are respectfully invited.  To send a letter of condolence to Viator family please go to:  MorrisFH.com .

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