I dont mourn on Facebook but the world needs to know the impact of one of the best public servants I have ever had the pleasure towork with; Joe Koch. People dont often associate creativity and talent with heavy equipment operators but watching Joe in an excavator was like watching an artist. In his Park. Dept. days, Joe, Tom and Paul Franz created and renovated more than a dozen parks with in-house talent, a feat the city could not have accomplished without such an incredible operator. If your child plays at a park in Quincy, you probably have Joe Koch to thank. Pageant Field, Adams Field, Veterans stadium, Colletta Field, the Formal Gardens, Quarry Street soccer fields, Teel Field, Hanlon Field, Faxon Park, the track, Cleverly Court, are just some of the projects that Joes talent allowed to happen. Without his talents, the City likely couldnt afford to pay outside contractors the amount needed to perform this work. Joe was a loyal, strong, gruff guy who did not suffer nonsense or BS and wasnt afraid to tell you. You always knew where you stood with Joe; an endearing quality in todays world. He set high expectations for municipal workers and expected everyone to meet them. After leaving the Army, Joe chose public service as his calling and few ever did it better than he did. His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled. RIP my friend - I will always appreciate what you did and who you were.
Posted on: Fri, 22 Aug 2014 12:00:30 +0000