Joseph M. Repetti, 76

On July 19, 2025, the final chapter of an amazing adventure story was completed as Joseph M. Repetti lost his courageous fight to finish his story on his own terms, with his devoted wife by his side and surrounded by his children. Joseph was born January 22, 1949, to Mario Joseph Repetti and Concetta Marie (DiNatale) Repetti in Boston. Joey was the little brother of life-long protector, Carol Repetti. Born and raised in South Boston and later Dorchester, Massachusetts, Joe always had a strong will to fight for his family and himself, especially as a diminutive Italian growing up in an Irish neighborhood.

Joe decided early in his life to follow in Mario’s career footsteps and pursue a career in carpentry in the MA Carpentry Union. Growing up, he valued the relationships he had with his family and extended family, as he navigated life in the projects and through catholic schools.

Like many literary heroes, Joe saw early in life the value in service to something bigger than oneself, enlisting in the United States Army at 18 and continuing to serve for over 20 years United States Army and the National Guard, retiring as a Master Seargent E-8. Later he would serve his adopted hometown of Wareham as coach for numerous Wareham Little League and Softball Leagues, coaching and mentoring for over 25 years.

Every great story needs romance and in 1973 Joe met the love of his life, Rosella Fratus, being introduced via CB radio through her mother. There was no turning back from this point on as Joe and Rosella together navigated life and love while being blessed with five beautiful children. “Pop” and Gram were further blessed to bring eight grandchildren (soon to be nine!) into their fold.

As a teenager, Joe’s story encountered a central plot twist. While spending many wild times at his family cottage at the end of the quiet country road that was Glen Charlie Road in East Wareham, Joe was taken under the wings of some of the legends of the area. It was then that Andre and Margaret Gauvin, Ed and Betty Ames, Darty Atwood, and most of all the two who would become like parents to him, Cecil and Yvonne Foote welcomed him into their families and opened the city kid’s eyes to the natural beauty of the bogs and the woods. At their urging, Joe became a member of the Wankinquoah Rod and Gun Club and through that, brought up each of their children with a deep love of our natural world. An avid hunter, fisherman, and outdoor enthusiast, Joe learned from these many mentors and did his best to return to the favor and share his own knowledge and experiences with just about anyone who would endure his words of “Repetti Wisdom”.

With a growing family, Joe made the decision to stop the commute to Boston and to start his own business, based out of Wareham, to allow him to be an active part of his family and his community. R&R Remodeling, Inc. was born and continued until his final day. With a quickly expanding family, Joe undertook a major remodeling of the cottage. He completed the addition in much the same fashion as he built his life in Wareham, with him leading a group of family and friends. Joe and Rosella would successfully raise five children in that same “cottage”, instilling the importance of keeping your family close through any struggles that they would face.

Joe is survived by his wife of 52 years, Rosella Repetti, and their children Kim Houdlette and her husband Michael W. Houdlette of Wareham, MA; Micheal Mario Repetti and his wife, Deanna Ouelette Repetti of Lewiston, ME; Jennifer Borden and her partner Kenneth Hatfield of Wareham, Joseph A. Repetti and his partner Justine Howe of Fort Edward, NY, and Lisa May Black and her husband Adam of Shutesbury, MA. Joe was known as "Pop" to his grandchildren, Michael H. Houdlette, Amber Borden, Brianna Borden, Myah Repetti, McKenna Repetti, Samantha Courcy, Roslyn Black, Blake Repetti, and Baby Boy Repetti (expected any day now). He was also the surrogate father to several others.

While the story’s end left many wanting more, this was a life’s story filled with adventure, humor, and love, and it is a story that will live on forever through all those he touched.

Joe's services will be held on Saturday, July 26, 2025 at Chapman Funerals & Cremations – Wareham, 2599 Cranberry Hwy. (Rt. 28), Wareham at 10 AM. Burial will follow at Center Cemetery, Tihonet Road, Wareham. A reception will follow at the Wankinquoah Rod and Gun Club. Visiting hours will be Friday from 4 – 7 PM at the funeral home.

Donations made in Joe’s memory may be made to Wankinquoah Rod and Gun Club - Cecil G. Foote Jr Memorial Scholarship, 112 Pine Street, Middleboro, MA 02346.

For directions, or to leave a message of condolence visit: www.chapmanfuneral.com