Joshua R. Kemp

Gilbertville - Joshua Rene Kemp - born August 23, 1994, was tragically taken from us on March 16, 2024, at the age of 29.

Josh was born overcoming incredible odds fighting for his life from the very beginning of what would become an amazing life cut way too short. Josh as a newborn endured open-heart surgery and was able to do more with his repaired heart in his limited time than most do in an entire lifetime. He was a graduate of Tantasqua High School.

Josh loved the Red Sox, Pittsburg Steelers, riding his Harley, fishing, bowling, being outdoors, listening to country music, going to Gloucester, helping others, playing horseshoes, and playing cards with those he loved. He loved life. Josh was an entrepreneurial spirit with a variety of ventures selling eggs, starting a bait shop, selling firewood, running the farmstand, and most recently his landscaping business Lefty’s Services.

Joshy’s faith in God kept him strong and at peace.

We wish more people could see the world through Josh’s eyes. When Josh interacted with you it was always a fun and engaging experience. If you were a stranger or his horseshoe partner, young or old, it did not matter as he treated everyone as his buddy. What a better world this would be if a fraction of his generous kind heart combined with “Kemp Power” could be gifted to all. He led with his heart with every interaction. Josh was a good old-fashioned country boy who was the hardest worker and he valued family above all else. Josh’s most prized possession was spending time with the ones he loves.

Josh is survived by the love of his life his devoted wife Sara (Racine) Kemp of Gilbertville; his adoring mother Tammi (Kemp) Melanson and her fiancé Robert Fogwell of Charlton. He also leaves behind his idol, best friend, and beloved father Robert Kemp and his wife Kelly of West Brookfield; his big brother who he admired Jonathan Kemp and his partner Leanne Frisina of Meriden CT; stepbrothers Zachery and Andrew Swistak; paternal grandmother Sandra Lee Leslie, and paternal grandfather Richard Kemp, Sr. both of West Brookfield as well as his in-laws Mark and Karen Racine of Gardner. Josh is predeceased by his maternal grandmother Betty (Groleau) Boelke. Josh leaves behind many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, brother and sisters-in-law, and an entire world of friends that he would do absolutely anything for! The legacy Josh leaves behind is a ripple effect that goes far beyond the small town of West Brookfield and will be felt by many forever.

Calling hours for Josh will be held on Friday, March 22, 2024 from 4 to 7pm in the Varnum Funeral Home, Inc., 43 East Main St., in West Brookfield. His Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2024 at 10:30am in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 22 West Main St., in West Brookfield.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are welcome to Boston Children’s Hospital Cardiac Unit, 300 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115 or at https://www.childrenshospital.org/ or to the Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Research Fund at https://www.komen.org/

An online guestbook is available at varnumfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joshua R. Kemp, please visit our floral store.