Mr. Joseph Joe J. Sensecqua

Portland-Joseph James Sensecqua of Portland, age 83, died at Seaside Nursing Home on August 27, 2010 in the presence of his loved ones after a long illness.

He was born on March 28, 1927 at the home his mother, Rose DiPietro, and father, Oresto Sensecqua, built in Portland, Maine. He attended Portland schools and worked as a civil servant for the US Coast Guard during World War II. Joseph was later employed at S.D. Warren in Westbrook, until retiring in 1989. In addition, he maintained a family owned flower business growing pansies.

On July 19, 1947, Joseph married Thelma Ellen Downs of Brewer, Maine. He and his wife of 63 years, lived in Portland and raised three daughters.

Joseph was a member of the Chestnut Street Methodist Church in Portland.

He will be especially remembered for his good sense of humor, his passion for growing flowers and vegetables, and his devotion to his family. He will forever be remembered for his beautiful smile and the twinkle in his eyes.

In his younger years, Joseph enjoyed hunting, fishing, clamming, gardening, and cooking. Italian cooking in particular was his passion. He enjoyed taking trips with his wife and family to Sebago Lake State Park, Scarborough Beach, the White Mountains in New Hampshire, and Canada.

After retirement, Joseph and his wife Thelma enjoyed spending summers at their condo on Kezar Lake in Lovell, Maine. He also cherished spending holidays with his children and grandchildren, gathered around the dining room table enjoying Italian food cooked by his loving family.

Joseph was the youngest of five children, and was predeceased by his parents Rose and Oresto Sensecqua, his brother Carl Sensecqua, and his sister Alice (Sensecqua) Webb.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Thelma of Portland, three daughters ; Kathy Sensecqua and her husband Steven Merrill of Gorham; Deborah Jean Sensecqua and her life partner Dot Tolin of Portland; Peggy (Sensecqua) York, her partner Lisa Lennan, and family Donald York of Standish; a granddaughter; Jennifer (Morin) Hartwell and her husband Dana of Auburn, three grandsons, Ryan York and his wife Julie (McCubrey) of Westbrook; David Merrill of Gorham; and Samuel Lennan York of Standish; two sisters, Mary (Sensecqua) Tardif of Portland, and Dolly (Sensecqua) Ogilvie of Farmington, California.

The family would like to thank the loving staff at both Beacon Hospice and Seaside Healthcare Facility, especially the Wing 2 nursing staff of Seaside, for the loving and attentive care they gave to Joe.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a time of visitation on Monday, August 30, 2010 from 4-8 p.m. at Jones, Rich, & Hutchins Funeral Home 199 Woodford Street Portland.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Forest City Cemetery, South Portland.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay Harbor, in memory of Joseph Sensecqua: Attn: Development Department PO Box 234 Boothbay, ME 04537

Please visit www.jonesrichandhutchins.com for additional information and to sign Joseph’s guestbook.

Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home & Cremation Services

199 Woodford St.

Portland, ME 04103

207-775-3763

www.jonesrichandhutchins.com