NORTHBOROUGH / MILFORD

Joseph M. Taxiera, age 92, of Northborough, MA, formerly of Milford, MA, passed away peacefully on April 17, 2025, following an unfortunate accident in his home. Joe was the devoted husband of 45 years to the love of his life, Phyllis A. Leonard Taxiera, who passed in 2021.

Joe was born in Stoughton, raised in Milford - the third of four children of Manuel and Minnie (Gracia) Taxiera, and was a 1950 graduate of Milford High School. He served honorably in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. Upon his return home, he was employed in the foundry of the Draper Corporation in Hopedale. Having a passion for automobiles and a self-taught skill for quality auto body work, Joe opened his own autobody shop in Mendon, MA, Joe Tex Auto Body, where he served his customers for over 35 years.

Joe and Phyllis married in 1976 and lived all their years together in Northborough. They enjoyed many years of traveling together and spent summers at their RI beach houses in Charlestown and then on Scarborough Beach. Joe was also active for more than 48 years with the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Westborough. He loved the church. Good Shepherd and the members were his second family. Joe kept a calendar of appointment dates, addresses and phone numbers for parishioners and friends alike and would often provide rides to them for appointments. He was known for his phone calls to "just check in" and never missed mailing holiday cards. He was a proud lifelong member of Milford's Water Street Gang and loved his fellowship with Good Shepherd's Wise Old Owls.

Joe was a social butterfly and maintained an active social calendar to the end. He loved to visit diners and routinely rotated his visits to numerous local establishments. Joe had the "gift of gab" and a true sense of caring for people of all ages, and everyone naturally gravitated towards him. Strangers soon became friends, and he loved everyone he met.

Joe is survived by his daughter Mary Taxiera of Wide River, MT; three step-children, William Leonard, Jr. and his wife Debra of Mendon, MA, Patricia Leonard of Portsmouth, RI, and Donna Smith and her husband Glenn of Middletown, RI; six grandchildren, Glenn Smith, Dillon Smith, Riley Smith, Kimberly Leonard, Brian Caniff, and Michael Caniff; four great-grandchildren Cooper and Charlie Smith, Autumn and Gracie Caniff, as well as many nieces and nephews. Joe was preceded in death by his three sisters, Ann Brogan, Madeline Dexter and Dorothy Depoto.

Calling hours are set for 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday April 23, at Hays Funeral Home, 56 Main Street, Northborough. A funeral will be held at 11 A.M. on Thursday, April 24, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 183 W. Main Street, Westborough. Burial will follow in Howard Street Cemetery in Northborough.

In lieu of flowers, any memorial donations in Joe's name may be directed to the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 183 West Main St., Westborough, MA 01581 or to their giving page at goodshepherdcares.org. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.HaysFuneralHome.com.