On most mornings, for nearly 30 years, the familiar sound of a motorcycle could be heard through the streets of town, driven by a man, some knew by name, others simply by sight.
Marblehead is not only saying goodbye to a longtime police officer, but also an assistant harbor master, brother mason, lifelong resident, veteran, and distinguished member of one of Marblehead’s oldest families.
Joseph E. (Joe) Homan Jr. died on Dec. 25 in Danvers’ Kaplan House; he was 86.
His son, Joseph E. Homan III, said Homan Jr. will be remembered for his humor and love for Marblehead. “I think if you asked anyone, I think people would say that he was just a really nice man to sit down with.”
He added, “Even being a policeman, you’d find him talking on the side he’d just pull over somewhere and talk.”
Homan III, now 62, said he will always remember the stories about Marblehead told to him by his father.
“He was a small-town policeman,” he said. “When I was a kid, he’d come home and just say, ‘I just chased so-and-so through the Tedesco Country Club,’ and then he’d be complaining about them saying that they were in trouble, and he had chased them through the field. And then later on, he’d be playing golf with them.”
Homan Jr.’s nephew, Russell Williams of Salem, said his Uncle was a family man and “just an all-around good guy.”
Williams added he will miss Homan Jr.’s advice and presence in his family; he will also remember his Uncle’s love of the town he called home.
“If my uncle didn’t have to leave Marblehead, he would never leave Marblehead,” he said. “He’d always be in town. I don’t believe he liked going out of the town.”
He added while working as a police officer, Homan Jr. always had positive and fair interactions with community members.
“When you watched him interact with other people, you would know that he was just a softy, he’d go up there and do his job, and then, if it was a kid or something like that, or somebody from Marblehead, he might just give them a warning. But if it were another person who did something bad, he’d give them a ticket as they deserved,” Williams said.
On Dec. 26, a day after Homan Jr.’s death, the Marblehead Police Department shared a tribute to the retired officer on their Facebook page.
The post read in part, “The Marblehead Police Department is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Retired Officer Joseph Homan, who served our community with honor and dedication for 30 years.”
“Officer Homan exemplified professionalism, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to public service. His contributions to the department and the town of Marblehead left a lasting impact, and his legacy will not be forgotten,” the tribute read.
As of press time, the post has received over 600 likes with over 170 comments honoring Homan Jr. from friends, family, and fellow Marbleheaders.
In his life, Homan Jr. enjoyed golfing, playing at local courses, and could be found on the links in North Carolina, as well as at international courses in Scotland and England.
He was also an avid patron of The Muffin Shop, located at 126 Washington St.
Homan III said each morning up until the last three years of Homan Jr.’s life, he would meet at The Muffin Shop with his childhood friends.
Besides his son, Homan Jr. is lovingly remembered by his daughter, Lisa Potorski, and her children, Michael J. Potorski and Jake A. Potorski, many nieces and nephews, including Williams and friends.
Homan Jr. is predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Mary Marlene (Baker) Homan.
The couple met on a blind date while Mrs. Homan was working as a nanny. Originally from England, her visit was expected to be for a year; however, her stay in town would eventually last decades and include a love story set against the backdrop of Marblehead’s scenic streets.
The couple enjoyed spending most of their time together and would often be seen walking the streets of Marblehead early in the morning, Homan III said.
“He had a very good marriage with my mother, very close. I keep thinking that my father might have died of a broken heart,” he said.
Homan III added, “My parents did everything together. If they were going to paint a room or do something in the house, they both painted the house. They both would do everything together. If they went grocery shopping, all of us would go grocery shopping. They were really, really good parents.”
Services for Homan Jr. were held at Marblehead’s Gerry 5 on Thursday Jan. 8, in the facilities auditorium, which is named for Homan III’s grandfather, who was the founder of the Gerry 5, according to Homan III.
