HOLYOKE:  Joseph P. Festa, 94, of Holyoke, passed peacefully on Friday, September 1, 2017. Joseph was born in Springfield on October 11, 1922, a son of the late Enrico and Immacolata (Calabrese) Festa of Italy. Joe graduated from Commerce High School and Northeastern University, Class of 1952. He began his career as a rifle shop worker at the Springfield Armory in 1940 and attained the position of internal auditor. When the Armory closed in 1966, Joe was transferred to the U.S. Defense Contract Administrative Service as an Administrative Contracts Officer at Hamilton Standard, until he retired in 1982. Joe, a WWII veteran, was awarded several medals and battle stars for his service in the Army Corps of Engineers in the American, European African Middle Eastern, and Asiatic Pacific Theatres. In 1943-1945, he served in the European Campaign in England, France, and Belgium. Afterwards, Joe was stationed onboard a ship headed to the Pacific Campaign and served in the Marshall Islands and Okinawa until discharged in 1946. He was a communicant of Our Lady of the Cross Parish in Holyoke. Joseph is survived by his children, Mark Alan Festa of Springfield, Ted Everett of Holyoke, Robert Everett and his wife Nancy of Holyoke, Doreen Everett of Satellite Beach, Florida, Maureen Labigalini and her husband Mark of Holyoke, and Kevin Everett and his wife Karen of Holyoke. Papa was a gentle soul, patient, loving, selfless, kind, and an inspirational teacher to his family. Papa adored his 11 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Additionally, Joseph leaves his cousin, Karen Martin, of Ludlow, niece Elaine Festa Marowski, of Palmer, and nephew Henry Festa of Springfield. Besides his parents, Joseph was predeceased by his wife, Eileen (Bowler) Festa, his wife Marion (Soffan) Festa, and his brother, Peter Festa. The family wishes to extend its sincere gratitude toward the nursing and support staff at Holyoke Hospital’s South 3 East wing. Family and friends are asked to gather for a Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of the Cross Church in Holyoke on Wednesday, September 6, at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow in the St. Jerome Cemetery. The Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Holyoke Soldier’s Home, 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke, MA 01040.