Joseph Desiderio

Joseph E Desiderio, 79 of Spring Lake, NJ passed away on August 25th surrounded by his family.  Joe was born in Philadelphia, PA to Joseph Desiderio and Alice Dorothy Cox on February 29, 1944. He is survived by his college sweetheart, Hellin, of 57 years. His children, daughter, Tara (Dan Moynihan) of Charleston SC, son, Gregg (Mindy) of Oakland NJ, daughter, Heather (Dave D’Alessandro) of Hopewell NJ and daughter, Alissa (Adam Heide) also of Hopewell NJ; his grandchildren Jack & Jayne Moynihan, Ryan, Kaela, & Paige Desiderio, Ava, Megan, & Mia D’Alessandro and Benjamin, Christian, Grayson, & Finn Heide; his sister, Brenda Hollway and brother, Robert Rowe. He is predeceased by his parents and sister, Patricia Rowe.

Joe graduated with a BA and two Master Degrees from Glassboro State College. He was an educator in Upper Saddle River and Paramus before becoming a principal in Wyckoff for 26 years.  He was a member of the Wyckoff Reformed Church and recently the Manasquan Presbyterian Church.

He was awarded Educator of the Year in 1977 by the Paramus Jaycees, on the Environmental Commission in Wyckoff, the Wyckoff Board of Education, on the Consistory at the Wyckoff Reformed Church and was awarded the William E Boye Jr Humanitarian Award by the Wyckoff YMCA in 2006.

He retired to Spring Lake where he enjoyed sitting on the front porch of his bed & breakfast talking with guests.  He was on the Spring Lake Business Improvement District Committee and the Spring Lake Education Foundation.

Joe loved listening to John Denver, camping, Frost Valley, canoeing on the Shenandoah River, watching the Phillies and eating tapioca pudding. But most of all he loved and was very proud of his children and grandchildren.  It was his genuine heart and care for others that made a lasting impression on everyone he met.

The Desiderio family will receive friends on Friday, September 15 from 4:00 until 8:00pm at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home, 257 Godwin Ave., Wyckoff, NJ  07481.  A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 16 10:00am at Wyckoff Reformed Church, 580 Wyckoff Ave., Wyckoff, NJ  07481.  Interment will follow at Wyckoff Reformed Church Cemetery.

As an expression of sympathy in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN  38148-0142 or  Alzheimer's Association of New Jersey, 23 Vreeland Rd., #105, Florham Park, NJ, 07932.

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