Joseph W. Lemay

Joseph W. Lemay, 69, of North Smithfield, died on May 13, 2026. Born in Woonsocket, he was the son of the late Armand and Catherine (Thibault) Lemay and resided in Blackstone for most of his life.

Joe was a 1975 graduate of Blackstone Millville Regional High School. He was a heavy equipment operator and owned his own business for many years. Joe loved racing and spending time with his family.

He started his racing career in 1976 at Westboro Speedway in the Street Stock division. He moved on to the Pro Four Modified Tour division in 1982 and in 1990 won the National Pro Four championship. He continued racing in various divisions within the northeast, winning over 100 races until retiring from driving in 2009. After retiring, Joe supported his son Joey as he started his racing career following in his father's footsteps.

He leaves his children, Christie Brenner and her husband, Todd, of North Smithfield, Katherine Priolo and her husband, Phillip of East Greenwich, and Joseph Lemay of Woonsocket; his sister, Kathleen Woodason and husband, John, of Fuquay Varina, NC; two brothers, David Lemay and his partner Lisa of Woonsocket and Steven Lemay and his wife, Sandy, of Blackstone, MA; two grandsons, Luca Priolo and Logan Brenner; and several nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his brother, Armand Lemay, Jr.

His funeral will be held Friday, May 22, 2026 at 11 AM in the Holt Funeral Home, 510 So. Main St., Woonsocket. Burial will follow in St. Paul's Cemetery, Blackstone. Calling hours are Thursday from 4-7 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 4550 Montgomery Ave, Suite 1100 N, Bethesda, MD 20814 or via https://give.cff.org/massachusetts-ri/donate?rbref=homepage&donate=250

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