Joseph W. Appleyard passed away suddenly at his home in Melrose, on September 2, 2010. He was 39 years of age. Joseph was born in Malden on March 28, 1971, raised in Melrose, graduated from Melrose High School in 1989 and Boston College, Class of 1993. After graduation from college, he worked with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps in Tahoma, WA with the L'Arche Tahoma Hope Community. Mr. Appleyard continued his special needs work with children & adults during his career and spent the last 6 years with the EagleEyes Program at the Campus School at Boston College. Joseph learned to sail at Community Boating in Boston as a teenager and continued to follow his passion for sailing throughout his life. He cherished the times spent with his family, especially his nieces and nephews. Joseph has been a longtime resident of Melrose and will be sorely missed by all who knew him. He was the beloved son of Richard C. & Elizabeth A. (LaSpina) Appleyard of Melrose. Loving brother of Stephen R. Appleyard & his wife Tracy of Seattle, WA, Jane A. Allen & her husband Cory of Melrose and David H. Appleyard of Allston. Cherished uncle of Emily, Hava, Max & Horace. Devoted nephew of Rev. Joseph Appleyard, S.J. of Boston College, William & Eleanor Appleyard of Marblehead, Trudy LaSpina of Melrose and William & Susan LaSpina of Melrose. Joseph was well loved by his cousins and extended family. Funeral from the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St. Melrose, on Tuesday, Sept. 7th at 9AM. A Funeral Mass in celebration of Joseph's life will be held at St. Mary's Church, Herbert St. Melrose, at 10AM. Relatives & friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours Monday from 4:00-8:00PM. Interment at Forest Dale Cemetery in Malden. Donations may be made in Joseph's memory to the Junior Endowment Program @ Community Boating, 21 David Mugar Way, Boston, MA 02114.