Joseph “Larry” Powers, Jr.

Retired Winthrop Fire Chief whose commitment to serving others never wavered

Joseph “Larry” Powers Jr., lovingly known to family and affectionately called “Chief” by so many whose lives he touched, passed away peacefully on June 27, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was a beloved husband, Dad, Papa, brother, uncle, firefighter, and lifelong public servant whose life was defined by service to others.

A lifelong Winthrop resident, Larry was the beloved son of the late Joseph L. Powers Sr., a Captain with the Boston Fire Department, and the late Mildred Powers. A proud second-generation firefighter, he inherited a deep commitment to service, courage, and community—values that would shape every chapter of his life.

Larry dedicated nearly 50 years of his life to public service. He began his career with the Winthrop Fire Department on October 8, 1976, rising through the ranks of Lieutenant and Captain before being appointed Fire Chief in 1996. Throughout his career, Larry served as a Hazardous Materials Technician, an Emergency Medical Technician, completed advanced ice and rope rescue training, taught at the Massachusetts Fire Academy, served as a firearms instructor at the Mystic Valley Gun Club, and mentored generations of firefighters. He was widely respected for his leadership, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to the safety of others.

After retiring from the Winthrop Fire Department, Larry continued answering the call to serve as Deputy Fire Chief at Massport. He later served the Town of Winthrop as Harbormaster and proudly represented his community as a member of the Winthrop Town Council. Whether on the fireground, at Logan Airport, on the waters of Winthrop Harbor, or in Town Hall, Larry’s commitment to serving others never wavered.

While Larry’s accomplishments were many, those who knew him will remember him most for the man he was. Dependable, humble, fiercely loyal, and endlessly generous, he was the person family, friends, neighbors, and fellow firefighters turned to when they needed help, guidance, or reassurance.

Away from work, Larry enjoyed deep-sea diving, riding his motorcycle, taking his Corvette out for a drive, “playing” golf, and spending countless hours in his workshop woodworking and creating projects on his CNC machine for his friends and family. One of his happiest places was Camp Hedding, where he spent his childhood summers and where generations of the Powers family have continued that tradition. Above all, Larry treasured time with his loved ones.

Larry’s greatest pride and joy was his family. He is survived by his devoted wife, Debbie Powers; his loving daughters, Sharon Powers and Jessica Powers; his cherished grandchildren, Meredith and Rocco, who knew and loved him as “Papa”; his sister, Joanne Grimes; and his brother, Lou Powers. He was preceded in death by his sister, Mildred Powers.

In Larry’s memory, those who serve are encouraged to prioritize their health and protect themselves so they can safely return home to the families who love them.

Larry leaves behind a legacy of service, courage, humility, and selfless leadership that will live on for generations. Though his watch has ended, his example never will.

Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, July 8, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 225 Bowdoin Street, Winthrop. A Funeral Mass will immediately follow at 12 noon.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made in Larry’s honor to Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center – Lung Cancer Research, supporting research to advance the prevention and treatment of lung cancer, or to the Last Call Foundation, whose mission is to advance firefighter safety, cancer prevention, and research. Memorial donations may be made to:

Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center – Lung Cancer Research: https://giving.massgeneral.org/donate/lung-cancer-research

Last Call Foundation: https://www.lastcallfoundation.org

To sign the online guestbook, go to www.caggianofuneralhome.com.

Arrangements under the direction of the Caggiano-O’Maley-Frazier Funeral Home, Winthrop.