Joseph Raymond Borro III

Beloved husband of Christine (Lee), loving father of Leslie Sill (Fiance Robert Cline) of Waterford, MI, Joseph R. Borro IV (Julie) of Waterford, MI. Proud Papa of Joseph R. Borro V and Jameson John Sill of Waterford. Dear brother of Sharon (Mike) Golisek, Susan Anderson (Richard Gleeson, deceased), Catherine (Frank) Starr. Sister-in- law, Patricia Lee, brothers-in-law, Richard Lee and David Lee (deceased). Niece, Sarah (Mike) Gwinn. Niece, Jennifer (Adam) Aide. Nephews, Jon (Danielle) Starr, Christopher (Emily) Starr, Richard Gleeson, Aaron Gleeson, Michael (Angela) Golisek, Ben (Yulia) Golisek. Mike (Athena) Tuch. Many Great Nieces and Nephews. Aunt Marie and Uncle William “John” Rogers. And Joe’s lifelong friends, Joe “Hoover” Hulverson and Nancy.

Predeceased by his parents, Joseph R Borro II and Beta (Heikkinen), Grandparents, Joseph R Borro and Catherine Borro. In-laws, Roy C Lee Jr. and Lillian Lee. Grandparents, Werner Herrala and Sandra, “Big Grandma”.

Joe Graduated from Marquette Senior High School in 1972. Joe married his wife of almost 48 years on January 6th, 1973. Joe survived his first Cancer (Testicular) at the age of 28. During his lifetime, Joe worked a variety of jobs. He worked at Madelyn’s Pasty Shop, Malvasio Vending, Painter, Drywaller and Roofer at Bell Roofing. He also sold Real Estate for a few years with his wife, Chris. Joe joined the Marquette City Fire Department in July of 1980. He was also given the Firemen of the Year Award on October 13th, 1981 after a safe evacuation of several residents from a burning apartment building. Joe retired in July 2005 as Captain. When he Retired, Chief Tom Belt said, “He was one of the all-time greats”.

He really loved his Firehall family. He also enjoyed ringing the Salvation Army Bell at Christmas. He also enjoyed participating in the Pigs in Heat hockey game every year. Joe was one of the only fireman who could drive and keep running the 1926 first motor fire truck Old Jerry.

Joe and Chris moved to Waterford to be near their kids and grandkids on September 13th, 2007. You may have known Joe as, “Fireball Borro”, “B.S.er Borro”, “Spally”, “Old Man Borro”, “Pops”, and “Papa”! His hobbies included, baseball, hunting, fishing, hockey coach, biking, snowmobiling, dirt biking. Mountain biking trail building, yard work. He loved to cook and grill, he was very artistic, enjoyed antiques, flea markets and garage sales. Joe was a “jack of all trades”, he really could fix and do anything. He was always working on one of his kid’s houses.

Joe liked spending time with his family, traveling North America watching his son Joe and later Grandson Joseph play hockey and watching his Grandson Jameson play baseball. He enjoyed going to his son’s cabin in Gladwin, MI. He enjoyed driving from Michigan to Alaska with his son Joe for Hockey. He enjoyed vacationing with his family and their yearly trip to Myrtle Beach, it was his favorite place, was bummed our trip was cancelled this year due to Covid. Joe loved his family, the color Red, Flannels, Stormy Kromer Hats, hats in general and spending time at hunting camp in Big Bay, MI. He loved to collect things and loved candy. He enjoyed talking with strangers, he definitely had the “gift to gab!” He really enjoyed helping people and was always willing to go the extra mile for his family, friends and strangers who fell on hard times. He loved dogs, his favorite, Boy Bailey who passed in October, 2010 and his little buddy, Bentley who he enjoyed walking every day. Joe enjoyed his family time, but really enjoyed the time spent with Joseph and Jameson. Whether they were swimming in the pool that he set up every year for the boys or looking for shells in the ocean on the Myrtle Beach Trips. Sometimes they were looking for “Big Foot” in Big Bay or chasing Pokemon.

Papa spent a lot of his time with the boys, babysitting Joseph in the 1st few years of his life and Jameson in his too. He loved helping the boys with school projects, just like he did with Joe and Leslie. His priorities were always his kids and grandkids. He had bladder cancer in 2017 and again in 2019. Had a good cancer checkup report in June 2020. However we didn’t know that Lung cancer was invading his body this past summer/fall. Joe spent his last few months with his wife at home, watching Hallmark Movies, one of his favorite things to do. And going to Joseph’s hockey practices and games.

Condolences and memorials can be sent to Chris Borro, 4990 Ross Dr. Waterford, MI 48328. No funeral arrangements at this time, due to Covid. The family held a private get together. A celebration of life will be held in the future in Waterford & Marquette. Joe wanted to be cremated. Arrangements by the Riverside Chapel Simpson-Modetz Funeral Home Waterford. Online guest book www.modetzfuneral homes.com