Joseph F. Poirier, of Melrose, died at the Melrose Wakefield Hospital on March 4, 2008 at the age of 88. Joe was born & raised in Melrose, a graduate of St. Mary's Grammar School and Malden Catholic High School, Class of 1937. He was a lifelong Melrose resident and worked as an Underwriter for New England Life Insurance Company of Boston for over 42 years until his retirement in 1980. Joe was a Eucharistic Minister and longtime member of St. Mary's Church in Melrose. He was a longtime member of the Saugus DAV, Wakefield Elks, Melrose American Legion, Melrose Knights of Columbus, Pope John Father's Club, the Holy Name Society and a past president of the Melrose PTA. Joe was the beloved husband of the late Barbara P. (Meade) Poirier. Loving father of Denise Dwyer & her husband Jim of Melrose, Paul Poirier of WA, Michael S. Poirier of Melrose, Mary Previte & her husband Jim of Stoneham, Donna Marush & her husband Chuck of WA, Daniel Poirier & his wife Karen of CT and Richard Poirier & his wife Rosemary of Melrose. Cherished grandfather of James, Jeffrey & Domenic Previte, April & Shannon Poirier and Sarah Conti. Devoted brother of the late Mary Elizabeth McPhee. Caring uncle of Patricia Dwyer of Lynn. Funeral from the Gately Funeral Home 79 W. Foster St., Melrose on Saturday March 8th at 8AM. Funeral Mass in St. Mary's Church, Herbert St., Melrose at 9AM. Relatives & friends invited. Visiting hours on Friday from 4-8PM. Burial in Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Joe's memory to St. Mary's Church Building Fund, 46 Myrtle St., Melrose, MA 02176. For directions, obituary & to sign guest book visit www.gatelyfh.com