Jr. Joseph Folger

Joseph Folger, Jr., 58, of Amesbury passed away peacefully on Monday, September 30th with his mother and dad by his side, after several years battling Alzheimer disease.

Born in Plymouth, MA, Joe moved with his family to Amesbury in 1986 and graduated from Amesbury High School in 1988. Upon graduation, Joe worked for Shaw’s Supermarkets in Newburyport for more than 30 years.

At Amesbury High School, Joe was a manager and mascot for the football team, and a member of the wrestling team. In later years, Joe was an assistant to Coach Connors on the football team and a proud member of the 2008 State Championship team.

From an early age Joe competed in the Special Olympics in several sports including basketball, track and field, and softball. Joe won a gold medal as a member of the USA basketball team at the World Games of Special Olympics in Minneapolis in 1991, and as a member of the Massachusetts basketball team at the National games in Iowa in 2006.

Joe was a long time participant at Opportunity Works in Newburyport where he enjoyed working and many activities, but mostly the friendship and love of the other participants and staff.

Joe is survived by his mother, Susan Friedman, and dad Mark Friedman of Amesbury, his father Joseph Folger, Sr., and his wife Phyllis of Plymouth, MA; his brothers. Matthew Folger of Carver, Mark Folger and his fiance Kelly of Amesbury, Mark Friedman, Jr. and his wife Sarah of Westford, and Brock Friedman of Lowell, and his sister Diana Baker of Dedham. Joe is also survived by his loving Aunt Debra Carter of Carver, and many nieces and nephews, as well as his housemates Steven, Charles, and Adam, and the many loving, caring staff at Turning Point.

Visiting hours will be held Friday, October 4, 2024 from 4 to 7 P.M. at the Highland Chapel of Paul C. Rogers Family Funeral Home, 2 Hillside Avenue, Amesbury followed by a Funeral Service at the funeral home at 7 P.M. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations in memory of Joseph Folger, Jr. to Opportunity Works, 10 Opportunity Way, Newburyport, MA 01950 or to Mass Special Olympics, 512 Forest Road, Marlborough, MA 01752.