Joseph G. VonHandorf passed away suddenly, November 3, 2005, at the age of 80. Born in Boston, Joe was raised in Chelsea, graduated from St. Rose Grammar School, Chelsea High School and attended Holy Cross College for 1 year, before serving in the US Navy during WWII. After his discharge from the US Navy, Mr. VonHandorf went to Suffolk Law School and the Salem State College, where he graduated with a teaching degree. Joe was a Chelsea Firefighter for over 28 years, working as a Captain in the department for many years. He also taught & coordinated the Fire Science Program at Bunker Hill Community College for over 30 years. Joe was a member of the Chelsea Firefighters Union, he lived in Chelsea most of his life, Melrose for 10 years, Wilmington for 2 years and the past 7 months in Lexington.. He was the husband of the late Madeline H. (Delaney) VonHandorf. Father of Ellen M. Tentindo & her husband Anthony of Wilmington, James R. VonHandorf & his wife Janet of Amherst NH, Nancy M. Haepers & her husband Joseph of Wilmington, & the late Joseph E. VonHandorf & his wife Dorothy of Saugus. Grandfather of Chris, Erin, Mike, Paul, Julie, Steven, Katie, Amy, Michael and Jay. Great grandfather of Jason VonHandorf. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Funeral from the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St. Melrose on Monday, Nov. 7th at 8AM. Funeral Mass in Our Lady of Grace Church, 59 Nichols St. Chelsea, at 9AM. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours Sunday 2-7 PM. Burial in Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden. Donations in Joes memory may be made to the American Heart Assoc. 20 Speen St. Framingham, MA 01701 or the American Cancer Society 30 Speen St. Framingham MA 01701.