Joseph W. Bade

Joseph W. Bade, 92 of Midland Park, formerly a longtime resident of Ridgewood for 50 years, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 13, 2022.

He is survived by his beloved wife Eleanor (nee Schweizer), happily married for 64 years. Devoted father to Richard and wife Karen of Hillsdale, James and wife Tara of Mahwah, Kathy, and husband Greg of Oakland. He was “Pop-Pop” to all his wonderful grandchildren Morgan, Natalie, Jamie Lynn, Julia, Robert, and William. Loving brother to Charles Bade, predeceased; and William Bade of Overbrook Kansas.

Joe was a Navy veteran of the Korean war, as the Supply and Disbursing Officer for the LST Division 22 operating with the Marines, and later was a contracting officer for the Navy purchasing office. He joined the Naval reserve at 17 years old and retired from the reserve after 20 years. In 1951 he entered the Reserve Officer Candidate Program and was commissioned. He was a member of the American Legion post 53 of Ridgewood. After active duty, he became a buyer for the Navy exchange. Later he enjoyed a rewarding career with the JC Penney Company for 30 years first as a Buyer then as a Merchandise Manager and ending as the National Operations/Merchandising Manager in the New York headquarters.

He was born and raised in Jersey City by his two hard-working parents Charles and Inez. He attended Dickinson High School where he starred on the cross country and track teams. After high school, he enrolled at Jersey City Junior College where he was a member of the varsity basketball team. In search of a top business school to complete his BS degree, he took his talents west to the University of Idaho. He was a member of the Navy ROC, worked in the service and parts department at a car dealership, then a short order cook/clean-up crew at a hotel to pay his tuition. All this while taking a full course load.

Joseph was formally introduced to Eleanor, and it was love at first sight for both of them. Four months later they were engaged. On November 16, 1957, they were wed, less than a year after they met.

A devout Catholic, Joe was a parishioner at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Ridgewood. Family was so important to him that he organized, along with his cousin, two family reunions that required a banquet hall to accommodate all the relatives.

Using his knowledge of construction and carpentry he was always working on projects including a complete remodeling of their kitchen, finishing two basements, and converting the attic in their LBI shore house into two bedrooms!

He was active with the Boy Scouts and enjoyed sailing his sunfish at Shepherd Lake. He was a season ticket holder with his sons for Seton Hall basketball and the NY Giants with his brother Bill, all to spend more time with his family.

All in all, Joe was a survivor. He beat Kidney cancer and leukemia and drove himself to the hospital while having a heart attack in 2009 with 95% of his arteries blocked. He was always upbeat with positive energy, a big heart and great advice drawn from years of experience. He will be missed dearly by so many.

The Family will have visitation on Sunday, September 18th 1pm-4pm at Vander Plaat Funeral Home, www.vpfh.com, 257 Godwin Ave, Wyckoff, NJ. The Funeral Mass celebrating Joseph’s life and faith will be held on Monday, September 19th 10:30am at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel RC Church, 1 Passaic St, Ridgewood, NJ. Graveside service will follow at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus, NJ.

Donations in Joseph’s honor can be made to American Heart Association, www.heart.org, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas TX 75284 or American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org, P.O. Box P, Manasquan, NJ 08736

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