Joseph McCausland | Roofer, boxer, 74

Joseph McCausland, 74, a roofer and professional boxer, died of prostate cancer Friday at his Philadelphia home.

In 1988, Mr. McCausland was inducted into the Pennsylvania Boxing Hall of Fame. As a professional middleweight, he had a record of 28 wins, 9 losses and 3 draws.

Mr. McCausland's granddaughter Sharon Boyle said he began his boxing career at age 12 at the Lighthouse Boys Club and continued at the 26th Police District's PAL Club in Kensington.

Her grandfather, who was born in Taylorsport, Pa., but grew up in Philadelphia, joined the Marines in 1954, rose to drill sergeant, and was a boxing coach for the Second Marine Division.

Mr. McCausland was a roofer for 38 years and a member of Roofers Local 30-30B.

Surviving are sons Gene, Mark, Sean, Robert and Michael; daughters Sharon Anderson, Maureen, Eileen, Sheila and Jane; 26 grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren. Mr. McCausland's wife of 25 years, Eileen, died in 1995.

A viewing was set for 6 to 9 p.m. today at Burns Funeral Home, 1428 E. Columbia Ave. A Mass of Christian Burial will be said at 10 a.m. tomorrow at Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church, 2625 B St., near Lehigh Avenue. Burial will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Cheltenham.