Joseph C. Grace

Joseph C. Grace, a resident of West Roxbury, died on December 12 at the age of 72.  Born in Boston to the late Chandler and Mary (Hess) Grace.  Mr. Grace was a graduate of Boston State College and then  went on to receive his Masters Degree in teaching.  He started his teaching career in 1966 at the Thomas J. Kenney School in Dorchester and then in 1996 taught at the Bates Elementary School until his retirement in 2004. Mr. Grace was a member of the Boston Teachers Union, the International Reading Association, PHI Delta Kappa – Boston College Chapter and was a Faculty Senate Representative, Chairperson and School Building Representative for the Boston Teachers Union.  He was also a former member of the United Baptist Church Social Union in Jamaica Plain and an active member of the Roslindale Baptist Church where he was treasurer, a deacon and trustee.  Teaching was his passion, he loved his family and was always there to help anyone who needed assistance.  He was the beloved husband of Elizabeth (Zuniga) , dear father of Darryl Grace of Quincy, Theodore Georgaklis of Jamaica Plain, Dawn Marie Mainzer of Piedmont, SC and Veronica Grace of West Roxbury and loving grandfather of Brian Grace, Michael, Jonathan and Holly Mainzer.  He is also survived by his nephews Sean, Paul and Patrick Reynolds and his niece Robin Reynolds and his mother-in-law,  Hortensia Hernandez of West Roxbury.   Brother of the late Rita  Reynolds.  Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral on Thursday at 10AM at the Folsom Funeral Home, 63 Belgrade Ave., Roslindale.  Interment in Forest Hills Cemetery, Boston.  Visiting  hours Wednesday from 5 to 8 PM.