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Date: 9/15/2022
AGAWAM — Both sides of Joseph Mineo’s family gathered on Sept. 8 to remember the late city councilor.
On one side of the new bench at the Agawam Municipal Golf Course were his widow, his children, his baby grandchildren and extended family. On the other side were town officials — the “family” he worked with during two decades as a city councilor.
“He really brought a familial sense to the council,” said City Council President Christopher Johnson. He described Mineo as “a good friend to all his fellow councilors, a good friend to Agawam.”
The metal bench bearing Mineo’s name overlooks the golf course’s first tee. Mineo was an avid coach and promoter of local sports, and frequently played at the town-owned golf course.
Carmino Mineo, who followed his father’s footsteps into local politics, serving several terms on the Agawam School Committee, thanked the town officials for arranging the tribute.
“I know that the golf course was dear to my father,” said Mineo. “I know that he valued his city councilors like they were family.”
Mayor William Sapelli recalled Mineo’s generous nature and love of his town, saying he was “always giving of himself.”
“We’re all here because we’re friends of Joe’s,” Sapelli said.
Joseph Mineo served 20 years on the Agawam City Council before choosing not to run for re-election in 2019. He died in July 2020, at age 62, after a battle with cancer.
Johnson said once town officials decided to honor Mineo with a memorial bench, they had to wait for the COVID-19 state of emergency to pass, and for the completion of an outdoor patio project at the town-owned golf course, also adjacent to the first tee.