Obituary: Joseph F. Menice, Jr.

Joseph F. Menice, Jr., at 96

Joseph F. Menice, Jr. of Hull, went to meet his wife, Doris, on January 6, 2024, in his home surrounded by his family. He was 96.

The beloved husband of the late Doris (Kinnear) Menice, he was the cherished father of Paul Menice and his wife, Jean, of Monmouth, ME, Vickie Desharnais and her husband, Ronald, of Hooksett, N.H., Peter Menice and his wife, Danielle Cossett, of Corrales, N.M., Jeff Menice of Hull, Theresa Ryan and her husband, Stephen, of Norwood, Jay Menice and his wife, Susie, of Lynn, Mary Wilson and her husband, Allen, of Weymouth, Tammy Parker and her partner, Deanna Page, of Dexter, ME, Cathy Farrell and her husband, Leo, of South Weymouth, and Lynne Menice of Hull. Mr. Menice also is survived by 22 grandchildren, whom he adored.

Mr. Menice graduated from Hingham High School, where he excelled in academics, basketball, and baseball. He entered the U.S. Army and was assigned to the 3rd Army Military Government unit at the Nuremberg Trials as a prisoner guard and trial guard at the end of World War II. 

Upon being honorably discharged from the military with the rank of staff sergeant, he attended and graduated from Boston University. On June 19, 1954, he married his longtime sweetheart, Doris, and settled in Hull, where they raised 10 children. Mr. Menice started teaching literature, science, math, physical education, and penmanship at the Memorial Middle School. In 1957, Mr. Menice began teaching math and physical education at the high school. For the next 37 years, he influenced the generations of Hull students and fellow teachers through his teaching, coaching, and mentoring. He retired from teaching in 1994.

Throughout his retirement, Mr. Menice continued his dedication by supporting the various sports and recreational programs of Hull as the director of parks and recreation. He enjoyed collecting model trains and spending countless hours designing small towns and train routes in his basement. In September 1990, the Town of Hull dedicated the “Joe Menice Ball Field” in appreciation of his dedication to the youth sports of Hull. In 2009, Mr. Menice was inducted into both the Hingham High School Athletic Hall of Fame and the Hull High School Athletic Hall of Fame. He was a devoted member of St. Mary’s parish and served as a Eucharistic Minister.

Mr. Menice will be remembered as a devoted husband, a cherished father, a proud grandfather, and a true gentleman and mentor who not only loved his family, but his beloved Town of Hull.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to greet the family during the visiting hours on Monday, January 15, from 4-8 p.m. in St. Ann’s Church, 208 Samoset Ave. A funeral Mass will be celebrated there on Tuesday at 11 a.m. Cremation will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Mr. Menice may be made to The Hull Boosters Club (with “Joe Menice Scholarship” written in the memo) and sent in care of Jennifer Olivieri at Hull High School, 180 Main St., Hull, MA 02045