For over 25 years, Joseph B. Giampa and Edward L. Hilton worked together as welders at Lucent Technologies.
"Joe was the most perfect guy to work with, just a super guy," Mr. Hilton said. "In all those years, we never had a word out of sorts. When you enjoy working with someone, it makes the job fun. And that was the way it was with Joe. He was a hardworking guy with a wonderful family."
After a short illness, Joseph B. Giampa passed away Wednesday morning, Jan. 9, 2008 at his home surrounded by his family. He was 68 and a lifelong resident of Haverhill.
"He was the kind of guy who would do anything for anybody. He was very giving," said John Silvio, a carpenter who worked with Mr. Giampa for decades at Lucent Technologies. "Joe used to stock (cans of) soup at work. He'd be eating soup for lunch and if you came over to join him, he'd open up a can of soup for you."
Mr. Giampa was born in Haverhill on Feb. 5, 1939, son of the late Angelo and Lillian (Resvan) Giampa. He was educated in Haverhill and graduated from Haverhill Trade School, Class of 1957. Mr. Giampa played on Haverhill High School's 1955 state championship football team.
A talented welder, Mr. Giampa was also a skilled carpenter who enjoyed making furniture for his family.
"If you were working on a project at home and were having trouble and needed some help, Joe would be the first person over to help you," said Edward Hartman, a longtime co-worker of Mr. Giampa's at Lucent Technologies.
Mr. Giampa was employed at Lucent Technologies for 42 years retiring in 2001. He was a member of All Saints Church in Haverhill.
Along with his love of woodworking, Mr. Giampa enjoyed building and flying model airplanes and was a member of the 495th Radio Flyers.
"He loved his airplanes," Mr. Hartman said.
A father of five and grandfather of eight, Mr. Giampa and his wife, Georgianna (Strout) Giampa, were married for over 49 years.
"He was a great family man," Mr. Hartman said. "They didn't come any better than Joe."
Mr. Giampa's survivors include his wife, Georgianna (Strout) Giampa of Haverhill, his children, Wanda J. and her husband Brian J. Bouvier, Brenda M. Giampa, all of Haverhill, Johanna M. and her husband Jeff Makepeace of Sandown, N.H., Steven J. and his wife Paula Giampa of West Newbury, eight grandchildren, Katelyn, Shana, Ariel Bouvier, Meaghan Sawyer Krinzle, Zachary and Ryan Makepeace, and Emily and Lindsey Giampa. He was the father of the late Sandra Sawyer, RN who died in 1987.
Arrangements were by the H.L. Farmer & Sons Bradford Funeral Home, 210 So. Main St., Bradford. The funeral as well as the funeral Mass in All Saints Church was held Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008. Burial was in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Haverhill. Contributions in Mr. Giampa's memory may be made to All Saints Church, 120 Bellevue Ave., Haverhill, MA, 01830, or the charity of the donor's choice.
