Joseph John Tierney

Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies. Joe’s spirit of hope will live on in all those who knew and loved him. Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, brother, son and dear friend, Joseph J. Tierney passed away on October 10, 2020 surrounded by family after battling Alzheimer’s disease. Always a patriot, Joe was born on July 4, 1935 in New York City, eldest son to Joseph Patrick Tierney of Co. Tipperary (Ireland) and Mary, nee Breen, of Co. Armagh (Ireland) and was raised in the Bronx with his younger brother, Thomas Tierney (deceased) and younger sister Mary Tierney (deceased). Joe graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School and thereafter joined the NYPD, 42nd Pct. on July 1, 1957. In addition to serving NYC, Joe also served his beloved country in the Army and National Guard as a Sergeant E-5. Ever young at heart, after retiring from the NYPD, Joe began a second career in communications, first joining the Bell Co. and later AT&T, where he retired (again) in 1990, only to start a third career consulting for IBM. Finally, in 2002, Joe decided to enjoy all of his hard work and retired “to the couch,” as he would often say. Alas, the couch would also have to wait.

In retirement, Joe enjoyed his daily Zumba classes at the local YMCA, where he was often the only “distinguished” gentleman in the crowd, his daily briefings over coffee with friends and time spent around the table (any table, so long as it was filled with good food and friends) where he entertained many with his countless stories from his days growing up, his time in the service and walking the beat in the South Bronx. Although Joe would be the first to admit, he hadn’t taken to school much and that his HS diploma was more gratuitous than fact, he was the consummate student of life and his wisdom was cherished by all those who knew him. Joe always seemed to know the answers, whether the questions were about history, dates, times, people or whether someone just needed directions (including those of a more spiritual nature). Joe was a trusted advisor to all those around him; his integrity, courage and loyalty knew no bounds. Like a lighthouse, Joe stood for many as a beacon, often in the roughest seas of life.

In September of this year, Joe celebrated 51 years of sobriety. Although he was unaware of the anniversary as a result of his merciless disease, those around him celebrated his unwavering strength and fortitude. In those 51 years, Joe was a lighthouse for so many in the storm of life and addiction and although he would never take any credit-he most certainly saved countless souls who would have otherwise been lost at sea. Joe would always say that his greatest inspiration was his family; his wife Loretta of 61 years, his best friend and soulmate, he would probably also add the title of “boss for life” to the description, as Joe was never at a loss for humor. That sense of humor will undoubtedly carry his wife, Loretta and their four children, daughter Joan (Eaton), sons Joseph P. and James T. and daughter Patricia (Stone), through this difficult time of mourning. Joe was larger than life in every aspect; he was loved, admired and cherished by so many and the dancefloor will never be the same without him.

In addition to his wife and children, Joe will live on in his extended family, including his son-in-laws, Peter Eaton and Michael Stone, his daughter-in-laws, Cheryl Tierney and Jill Tierney; his 9 grandchildren, Geoffrey, Ashley, Kelsie, Amanda, Karissa, Keith, Mikayla, Jack

and Raegan and his 2 great-grandchildren, Jake and Leiana; as well as his many nieces and nephews, cousins and all those who were blessed to have known Joe Tierney. Joe often said “the best laid plans of mice and men, often go awry,” it was his way of saying live for today, for this moment…and so in his memory we will honor this final request. We will live and love, laugh and cry and most importantly, dance in every moment we have on this earth until we meet again. End of Watch Dad-we got it from here.

Visitation and funeral services can be found at https://www.beecherfuneralhome.com/memorials/joseph-tierney/4355540/obituary.php. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in Joe’s memory.