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NORTH ANDOVER — C. Joseph Sansone of North Andover, formerly of Boxford, passed away peacefully on Monday, Aug. 9, 2010 at the age of 88.
Joe was born and raised in Detroit, and was a journeyman tool and die maker in the automobile industry before joining the Army Air Forces in World War II, serving as a 2nd Lieutenant as a navigator and aerial weather observer. He later graduated from the University of Detroit with a degree in mechanical engineering, and worked for many years in the aerospace industry and other technical fields. His career ranged from the introduction of fiberglass fuels tanks for jet fighters during the Korean War, to participating in the development of the original stealth aircraft, the F-117 Nighthawk.
Joe was an avid athlete, excelling in baseball and bowling, and in his later years won numerous medals in the Senior Games, many as a partner with wife of 64 years, Leah. For many years he and his family spent summers at lakes in Michigan, and then at their camp on Brettuns Pond, Maine.
Besides his wife Leah, Joe leaves three children, Cecelia Sansone of Crown Point, N.Y., Frank Sansone of Honolulu, Hawaii, and Philip Sansone and his wife Linda of Atkinson, N.H. He also leaves his sister, Mary Fraser of Canton, Mich. In addition, he is survived by two grandchildren, Elisabeth Orms of Andover and Allison Sansone of Charlestown. He was delighted by the arrival of his great-grandson, Caiden Orms.
ARRANGEMENTS: A funeral Mass will be held Friday at 10 a.m. in St. Michael's Church. Burial will follow if Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sophia Gordon Cancer Center at Leahy Clinic. For directions for nline www.contefuneralhome.com.
