WEST LOVELL – Joseph A. America, 87, of West Lovell, died Aug. 21.

“Joe” began his career with Chesapeake and Potomac Phone Co. just prior to the U.S. entry into World War II, when Vice President Harry Truman requested that he be transferred to the White House. He served each president until his retirement during the Carter administration.

His family includes his wife, Carolyn (Mack) America, of Lovell; two daughters, Nicky Howell, of Oxford and Phoebe Bergoffen, of Sutton, Mass.; eight grandchildren, including Heather Pierko, whom he and Carolyn raised; and two great-grandchildren.