Obituary for Joseph Andrade
ADVOCATE FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED
Joseph Andrade of Acton, MA died on June 17, 2017 at age 98. He was a widower whose wife Irene died in 1982. He is survived by two sons, James of Acton and Paul of Sanford, Maine; three grandsons, Matthew of Kennebunk, ME, Benjamin of Newfield, ME and Nathanael of New York, NY. He was the father of the late Lisa Andrade, who had Down syndrome and died in 1994.
An honors graduate of Northeastern University, Mr. Andrade served honorably in the US Navy during WW II. A retired comptroller in the Industrial Chemicals Group of W.R. Grace, he was a Past President of the New England Chapter of the Institute of Internal Auditors.
When his daughter Lisa was born in 1958, Mr. Andrade became involved in the field of developmental disabilities resolving to do what he could to improve the lives of those who were developmentally handicapped. He became one of the original members of the organization that is now the Minute Man Arc for Human Services. Mr. Andrade served for many years as a Director and Chairman of the Finance Committee. He also served as President for two years in the early sixties and again as President for two years in the late eighties. In 1966 he was one of the founders of the Community Agencies Corporation which helped secure a government grant to build a facility to house programs aiding individuals who were developmentally disabled or had mental health problems. He served as a Director and Treasurer of that organization for 15 years.
In 1977 as a result of consent decrees, the Commonwealth recognized individuals with developmental disabilities could progress and lead more normal lives in communities rather than state institutions, and there was a move by the state to encourage and provide funding for community services. As this funding became available Mr. Andrade founded Minute Man Community Corporation to own and manage residential properties to house the Minute Man ARC programs while the state set up area boards to provide guidance and direction for community services. He served for three years on the Concord ARC’s Mental Health and Developmental Disabled Board and was its President for two years. In 1984 he became a Vice President of ARC Massachusetts, was Treasurer in 1985, then President for three years from 1986 to 1988. He continued to serve on the Board of Directors and Chief Financial Officer for twenty five years, retiring in 2009. In his tenure as President he was involved in the splitting of what is now the Department of Developmental Disabilities from the former Department of Mental Health. He was also a Treasurer and Board member for ten years, and is an Emeritus Director of the Acton Boxborough United Way.
Relatives and friends are invited to visiting hours at the Acton Funeral Home, 470 Massachusetts Ave., (Rt. 111) Acton on Tuesday, June 20th 5-7pm. All are invited to the funeral Mass to be celebrated in St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church, 89 Arlington Street., Acton on Wednesday, June 21st at 10am. Burial services in Woodlawn Cemetery, Acton Center, are private.
In lieu of flowers, donation may be made in his memory to the Minuteman ARC, 1269 Main St., Concord, MA 01742. Memorial page www.actonfuneralhome.com
Joseph Andrade of Acton, MA died on June 17, 2017 at age 98. He was a widower whose wife Irene died in 1982. He is survived by two sons, James of Acton and Paul of Sanford, Maine; three grandsons, Matthew of Kennebunk, ME, Benjamin of Newfield, ME and Nathanael of New York, NY. He was the father of the late Lisa Andrade, who had Down syndrome and died in 1994.
An honors graduate of Northeastern University, Mr. Andrade served honorably in the US Navy during WW II. A retired comptroller in the Industrial Chemicals Group of W.R. Grace, he was a Past President of the New England Chapter of the Institute of Internal Auditors.
When his daughter Lisa was born in 1958, Mr. Andrade became involved in the field of developmental disabilities resolving to do what he could to improve the lives of those who were developmentally handicapped. He became one of the original members of the organization that is now the Minute Man Arc for Human Services. Mr. Andrade served for many years as a Director and Chairman of the Finance Committee. He also served as President for two years in the early sixties and again as President for two years in the late eighties. In 1966 he was one of the founders of the Community Agencies Corporation which helped secure a government grant to build a facility to house programs aiding individuals who were developmentally disabled or had mental health problems. He served as a Director and Treasurer of that organization for 15 years.
In 1977 as a result of consent decrees, the Commonwealth recognized individuals with developmental disabilities could progress and lead more normal lives in communities rather than state institutions, and there was a move by the state to encourage and provide funding for community services. As this funding became available Mr. Andrade founded Minute Man Community Corporation to own and manage residential properties to house the Minute Man ARC programs while the state set up area boards to provide guidance and direction for community services. He served for three years on the Concord ARC’s Mental Health and Developmental Disabled Board and was its President for two years. In 1984 he became a Vice President of ARC Massachusetts, was Treasurer in 1985, then President for three years from 1986 to 1988. He continued to serve on the Board of Directors and Chief Financial Officer for twenty five years, retiring in 2009. In his tenure as President he was involved in the splitting of what is now the Department of Developmental Disabilities from the former Department of Mental Health. He was also a Treasurer and Board member for ten years, and is an Emeritus Director of the Acton Boxborough United Way.
Relatives and friends are invited to visiting hours at the Acton Funeral Home, 470 Massachusetts Ave., (Rt. 111) Acton on Tuesday, June 20th 5-7pm. All are invited to the funeral Mass to be celebrated in St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church, 89 Arlington Street., Acton on Wednesday, June 21st at 10am. Burial services in Woodlawn Cemetery, Acton Center, are private.
In lieu of flowers, donation may be made in his memory to the Minuteman ARC, 1269 Main St., Concord, MA 01742. Memorial page www.actonfuneralhome.com