Former Westfield Public Health Director Joseph Rouse gives closing remarks during the International Overdose Awareness Vigil at Park Square Green in 2022.
Reminder Publishing file photo
WESTFIELD — Joseph Rouse, Public Health Director who helped the city of Westfield navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, died unexpectedly on Friday, Jan. 10.
Rouse worked for the city for 26 years, first as a health inspector from 1998 until 2013, when he was appointed as Director of Public Health. He retired in February 2024 in the wake of an agreement to pay $11,507 in restitution to settle a prosecution for embezzling funds from his union that he served as treasurer, after which the case was to be dismissed.
During the COVID-19 emergency, Rouse was a constant presence at School Committee and City Council meetings, regularly updating both on the status of the pandemic and the city’s response, and answering all questions with a commitment to transparency.
“Joe Rouse was an integral part of our district’s COVID response team. Joe’s guidance during the pandemic helped keep our students and staff safe during a very stressful time. He will be missed,” said Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski upon the news of his death.
At-large City Councilor Brent Bean, who served as the council’s chair during the early days of COVID-19 said, “During the time of COVID, I served as the City Council president, and Joe proved to be a valuable asset to both me and the city as a whole. His fact-based and common-sense approach, provided a significant value to all of us as we navigated the challenges of managing the city during the pandemic.”
At the Health Department, Rouse worked with the state to bring supplies and vaccines to Westfield, led contact tracing of individuals who had contracted the virus, and worked closely with other city departments and emergency responders.
“No one could have foreseen the hardships the city would face during the pandemic. Joe worked around the clock to help the city get through it, and I am grateful for his stewardship,” said Westfield Mayor Michael McCabe.
In a statement his family wrote, “Joe spent many years putting all of his energy into his career as the director of public health for the city of Westfield. While others spent much of the COVID pandemic in fear and uncertainty, Joseph was invested in doing whatever it would take to keep the city safe.”
His family said at the time of his death he was looking forward to starting a job as a subject matter expert for the Massachusetts Health Officers Association.
Rouse is survived by his wife Christina B. Rouse, parents Carol M. Palmer, Rock Palmer, John Rouse and Judy Rouse, children Sarah Rouse, Rebecca and Nicholas Brill and Sunny Rouse and grandchildren Anthony, Elijah, Cole and Evelyn.
