Joseph L. Giunta

Beloved son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather
Lieutenant Colonel, United States Army Reserves (Ret.)
Industrial Engineer

Joseph L. Giunta, 88, of Midland Park, New Jersey passed away on Sunday, October 27th, 2024. Joseph was born on July 20th, 1936 at Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck, New Jersey. He was the son of Joseph L. Giunta and Michelina Polizzi Giunta. Joseph grew up in Bergenfield, New Jersey. He was raised by his parents who immigrated from Sicily.

Joe was loved by many. He had the greatest smile and laugh, and he could walk into a room and talk to anyone. He started playing tennis when he was 12 years old and said his determined nature began then. Tennis became a lifelong passion, and according to his children, “He could have gone pro.” He attended Bergenfield High School where he was on the tennis and football teams. He went on to Fairleigh Dickinson University and was captain of the tennis team. He graduated with a BA in Economics and then received an MS in Industrial Engineering
from Stevens Institute of Technology.

Joe was proud to be an American and believed it was important to serve his country. While he was in college, he joined the National Guard and then voluntarily enlisted in the Army and served in Vietnam. He was a tank commander and also was assigned to finding and disassembling explosive devices. He rose to the rank of Captain while on active duty and then continued in the Army Reserves. He retired from his military career of 35 years with great pride as a Lieutenant Colonel. Joe was also an Industrial Engineer for Manufacturers Hanover Trust, Chemical Bank, and JP Morgan Chase.

In 1968, Joe met the love of his life, Judith Wachter of Wilmington, Delaware. They got married in 1970. Together, they raised 3 children and joyfully welcomed their two sons-in-law and five
grandchildren. Joe loved being with his family and spent many nights roasting chestnuts by the fire and sharing stories about his time in the Army. He was a devoted father and grandfather
who always told his children and grandchildren how proud he was of them and how much he loved them.

Joseph was predeceased by his father Joseph L. Giunta, his mother Michelina Polizzi Giunta, his brothers Luigi Giunta and John Giunta. In addition, he was predeceased by his father-in-law
James Wachter, his mother-in-law Eugenia Buckley Wachter and his brother-in-law Thomas Conaty. He is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years Judith Marie Wachter Giunta, his daughter Michele Jean Collett and her husband Gregory Collett, his son Gregory Giunta, his daughter Christine Giunta Stecker and her husband Todd Stecker, his grandchildren Cole, Owen, Noah, Francesca and Victoria, his nieces Mary Malecki and Grace Sandri. In addition, he is survived by his sisters-in-law Gloria Giunta, Geri Bilinski and his brothers-in-law James Wachter, Joseph Wachter, Bill Conaty, and Gerry Conaty.

Family and friends are invited to the visitation from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 on Sunday, November 10th at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home, 257 Godwin Avenue, Wyckoff, New Jersey 07481. On Monday, November 11th, Joseph will be buried on Veteran’s Day, a day close to his heart. A Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate his life will be held at 10:30 am at St. Elizabeth’s Church, 700 Wyckoff Avenue, Wyckoff, New Jersey 07481. A funeral service with full military honors will follow at Christ the King Cemetary, 980 Huron Road, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Joseph Giunta’s name may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.

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