Joseph Wilcox

Joseph G. Wilcox, 81, died peacefully at home in Hopkinton on Sept. 26, 2026. Born in Winthrop and raised in Revere, he was the son of the late Mildred (Walsh) and Gifford Wilcox.

Joe served in the Army for two years during the Vietnam era and was stationed in Korea as a medical corpsman in charge of a psychiatric unit. After his military service, Joe earned a degree in political science from Boston State College. He continued his education, taking many postgraduate courses at Northeastern University and Boston University. His studies included comparative politics, international relations, history, archaeology and anthropology. He had a particular interest in Middle Eastern studies and continued to enjoy learning about these subjects throughout his life. He enjoyed several trips to Turkey and Syria to visit historic sites.

Joe worked for 39 years on an inpatient psychiatric unit at HRI-Arbour Hospital in Brookline. It was there in 1986 that he met his wife, Sharon, who was working as a registered nurse. They began their life together in Newton on Valentine’s Day in 1987 and married in 1990. Newton remained their home for many years, until they moved to Hopkinton in 2022.

Joe was happiest outdoors tending to his yard. He also enjoyed adding to his collection of seashells whenever there was an opportunity to do so. He spent hours scouring the shorelines of Cape Cod, Virgin Gorda and Siesta Key, vacation spots he and Sharon enjoyed together over the years.

Joe had a lifelong and deeply felt quest for knowledge, driven by a desire to understand the truth about the human condition. He never stopped learning and was an avid reader throughout his life. Along with his many interests in history, politics and other cultures, he also enjoyed science fiction, particularly the works of Isaac Asimov. Joe’s insightful perspectives on politics, current events and human nature will be missed almost as much as his warm heart and quiet, thoughtful and unassuming presence.

In addition to his devoted wife, Sharon Reynolds, Joe is survived by his beloved husky, Kaya; his sister, Linda Carey and husband Frank of Tewksbury; his brother-in-law, Bill Reynolds and wife Joyce of Belcamp, Maryland; and his sister-in-law, Nancy Reynolds of Orleans. He also is survived by his nieces, Kay Reed, Heather Gessleman and Jessica Bryan; his nephews, Mike Wood, Dan Carey, Doug Carey and Greg Reynolds; and their extended families. Joe was predeceased by his sister, Priscilla Wood, and his niece, Colleen Young.

A private celebration of Joe’s life will be held at a later date. If desired, donations may be made in Joe’s memory to the American Heart Association or to the American Stroke Association. Condolences can be expressed at chesmorefuneralhome.com.

Obituaries are submissions, typically from funeral homes, that are not subject to the same level of editorial oversight as the rest of the Hopkinton Independent. Obituaries may be edited for grammatical and factual mistakes and clarifications and shortened for space considerations.