Tofe Joseph, 98, of Fall River, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday. He was the husband of Madaline (Galib) Joseph, with whom he shared 62 years of marriage.

Born in Waterville, ME, son of the late Azar "Frank" and Mary (Saliem) Joseph. His father worked on the Maine Central Railroad. When Tofe was in high school, his family returned to Lebanon. In 1937, Tofe and his brother Dempsey secured passage on a freighter, the SS Exhibitor, from Latakia, Syria, and after multiple stops arrived in New York. Upon arrival, they had enough money for one hot dog for the two of them. They came to Fall River (where older sister Tekla resided) on a steamship of the Fall River Line.

Before World War II, Tofe worked at Remington Arms in New Haven, CT. From 1942 to 1945 he served in the Army in England, France and Belgium. He achieved the rank of Corporal during his service.

At the end of WWII he returned to Maine where he worked as a cook at The Elm Restaurant. After he married Madaline he held multiple jobs in the Fall River area, including 20 years at L.G. Balfour in Attleboro. Following his "retirement" from Balfour, he worked with his son Robert at Railings Unlimited for another 30 years.

A parishioner of St. Anthony of the Desert Church, Tofe was also a member of the Mount Lebanon Society.

Besides his wife, Tofe is survived by sons, Roger Joseph (wife – Patricia) of Boston, Russell Joseph (wife – Susan) of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, Ronald Joseph (wife – Anne) of Windsor, CT, Robert Joseph of Fall River and Richard Joseph (wife – Janet) of Windham, NH; a daughter, Robin Joseph Casey (husband – John) of Fall River; a sister, Annie Joseph Shaheen of Fall River; grandchildren, Lauren Joseph (fiancé – Air Force Major James Wolongevicz), David Joseph, Johnathan Joseph (wife – Elizabeth), John Casey III, Kristen Casey, Jennifer Casey, Sara Joseph, Jessica Joseph, Alison Joseph, Adam Joseph, Sean Joseph and Richelle Joseph; and many nieces and nephews. He was also brother of the late Frank Joseph Jr., Wadeah (Dempsey) Joseph, Ernest Joseph and Tekla Joseph Heed.

His Funeral Mass was celebrated by Chorbishop Joseph F. Kaddo on Wednesday, May 15, in St. Anthony of the Desert Church followed by his committal at Notre Dame Cemetery.