Joseph Bishop Jr.Joseph W. "Joe" Bishop, Jr. passed away peacefully on Friday, April 14, 2017 at the age of 89. Joseph was born on April 18, 1927 in Wakefield, MA, son of the late Joseph W. and Mabel (Glynn) Bishop and had lived in Gardner since the age of five. In 1953 he married Virginia Johnson. He was a graduate of Gardner High School, class of 1944. Soon after graduation, he served as a Seaman 1st Class in the United States Navy from June 1944 until July 1946. He then attended and graduated from Springfield College with a Bachelor of Science and from Fitchburg State College with a Master's in Education. Joe was principal of Gardner Junior High School for 25 years retiring in 1990. He began his career as an educator teaching history and then physical education at Gardner Junior High School until he was appointed principal. Joe positively impacted over 8,000 students and was honored when the academic wing at the newly openedGardner Middle School was dedicated in his honor in 1998. Joe loved watching, playing, and coaching sports on many levels. He enjoyed playing tennis with his buddies for many years and retired his racquet only two years ago. He was varsity basketball coach at GHS for eight years. He was inducted into the GHS Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994 for his contributions to sports through coaching.Joe was a very proud resident of Gardner and volunteered in many capacities. In 2014 he was presented the Presidential Lifetime Service Award for his over 4,000 hours of service to Heywood Hospital. As a long time member of The Elks Club he was co-chair of the annual GHS football banquet for several decades. He was a valued member of the City Conservation Commission for many years. In addition, he was a founding member of the Jackson Eagles where many life long friendships were formed.Mr. Bishop had an extremely positive attitude and had a warm greeting for all he met during his daily walks along the streets of Gardner. He looked forward to his weekly visits to the Levi Heywood Memorial Library and was an avid reader. He traveled extensively throughout the USA and Europe with his wife and friends. Last June he delighted in his trip to Rome and on a Mediterranean cruise with Kathy and Susie.He leaves behind his daughters Kathleen Manacek and her husband David of Danbury, CT and Susan Wironen and her husband Robert of Tyngsboro, MA; grandsons Michael (Zeynep) Wironen and their sons Zeki and Efe of Burlington, VT, Thomas (Alexandra) Wironen of Providence, RI and Gregory (Taryn) Wironen of Hudson, MA; sister Margaret Murdock of Baldwinville; sister-in-law Carol Smith of Gardner and many nieces and nephews.He was predeceased by his wife of 52 years Virginia (Johnson) Bishop; an infant son Kevin Michael Bishop, and his sisters Mary Maynard and Grace Jean Legere.A Mass of Christian burial will be held Thursday, April 20, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. in Holy Spirit Church, 50 Lovewell St., Gardner MA, 01440.In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to be made in his memory to the Gardner High School Alumni Fund – Joseph W. Bishop, Jr. Scholarship c/o Margaret Poulin Gardner High School 200 Catherine Street Gardner MA 01440 or to Levi Heywood Memorial Library Association, 55 West Lynde Street, Gardner, MA 01440. To send an online condolences please visit www.mackfamilyfh.com. Lamoureux-Fletcher & Smith - A Mack Family Funeral Home 105 Central St., Gardner is directing arrangements.