Joseph F. Ball passed away at Whidden Memorial Hospital on Wednesday October 13th after a long illness at the age of 79. Joseph was born and raised in Melrose, graduated from Melrose High School and has been a lifelong resident. He was a patrolman for the Melrose Police Department for 45 years. After retiring he worked as a Federal Security Officer at the Federal Court House in Boston for another 6 years. Joe was a WWII Navy Veteran, a member of the VFW Harold OYoung Post #2394 in Melrose, the Melrose Elks, the Knights of Columbus in Melrose and a longtime member of St. Marys Church in Melrose. He also belonged to the Melrose Police Association, the Massachusetts Police Association and the Retired State, County & Municipal Employees Association of Massachusetts. Joe was the husband of Rose (ONeil) Ball. Father of Joanne F. Ball of Melrose. Grandfather of Jennifer C. Shakespeare of Melrose. Brother of Eleanor Crowley & her husband Bob of Reading and the late William & John Ball. Also survived by several nieces and nephews. Funeral from the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St. Melrose, on Saturday October 16th at 8AM. Funeral mass in St. Marys Church, Herbert St. Melrose, at 9AM. Relatives & friends invited. Visiting hours Friday from 4-8PM. Burial in Wyoming Cemetery Melrose. Memorial contributions may be made to American Diabetes Assoc., 1 Bromfield St. Suite 5, Boston 02108. WWII Navy Veteran. Retired Melrose Police Patrolman.