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Joseph A. Silvestri, 86, of West Orange entered into eternal life on March 27, 2015. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral from Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home of Livingston, 145 E. Mount Pleasant Ave., Livingston, N.J., on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at 9:30 a.m. The funeral mass will be offered at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 1 Eagle Rock Ave., West Orange, N.J., at 11 a.m. Visitation will be on Monday, March 30, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. Cremation will be private.
Born and raised in West Orange, Joe spent the first 35 years of his marriage to the late Alice (Dickman) Silvestri in the township, raising their six children and actively participating in community and church. He then returned to West Orange in the last years of his life.
Joe was a 1951 graduate of Seton Hall University with a B.S. in Business Administration. He also served in the U.S. Naval Reserve. Joe had a distinguished 37-year career in the telecommunications industry, starting as a representative in a New York Telephone business office and retiring as a vice-president of sales for NYNEX (now Verizon) in 1988. Along the way, he held positions as Assistant Director of the Bell System exhibit at the 1965 World's Fair, Chief Rate Engineer for New York Telephone, Director of Rates and Billing for American Bell International in Tehran, Iran, and lead media spokesman for NYNEX Yellow Pages.
An outstanding athlete, Joe earned all-state honors as a member of the West Orange High School football team and was inducted into the West Orange High School Sports Hall of Fame. His great love and prowess for golf was also well-known. A charter member of Fairmount Country Club in Chatham, Joe maintained a handicap of 6 for a number of years. At age 74, he won the Fairmount Annual Father-Son Tournament with his son John, and he was Low Net at the West Orange Seniors Tournament in 2009. Joe also shared his passion for the game with others, serving as assistant coach of the Seton Hall University golf team that won the Big East Championship in 1992 and as a long-time member of the NJ State Golf Association's Course Rating Committee until 2010. He also was General Chairman of the Chrysler-Plymouth LGPA tournament held at Fairmount Country Club in 1986.
Joe demonstrated a strong devotion to his faith and a serious commitment to sharing his time, talent and treasure with his church and community. He served for many years as a lector at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in West Orange, and was president of its Holy Name Society. Joe also was president of the West Essex Highlands Condominium Association in West Orange and a member of the Seton Hall University President's Advisory Council. He served as general chairman of the United Fund Campaign for the Oranges and West Essex in 1964 and was foreman of an Essex County Superior Grand Jury in Newark during the summer of 1967. Joe also volunteered his time as a member of the boards of the West Orange Public Library, Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges, Telephone Pioneers of America and the local Boy Scout Council.
Joe was predeceased by his loving and exuberant wife Alice in 1996. He is survived by his devoted children: Ralph and his wife Melissa; Robert and his wife Mary; Clare and her husband Joe Krakoviak; Annette; Joseph and his wife Joan; and John and his wife Laura. He is also survived by his 16 loving grandchildren: John, Joseph Morahan, Stephen, Catherine, Thomas, Casey, Johanna, Elizabeth, Mark, Joseph Donald, Amanda, Carla, Alison, Paul Victor, Paul Christopher and Leah. He was also the beloved brother of Rosemary Perna of West Orange.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ALS Association or Seton Hall University.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
April 4, 2015
Bob, I am very sorry for your loss. Bill
March 30, 2015
Sincere condolences goes out to the Silvestri family for your sad loss. May GOD be a source of strength and comfort as you mourn the passing of Joseph.
March 30, 2015
Mark Adelson
im truly sorry for your loss and wish my heartfelt condolence to you and your family.
Mark Adelson
March 30, 2015
Joe and Kitty(forgot to sign our note.)
March 30, 2015
To all of Joes family,Joe was one of the few people I considered to be my brother.We spent 70 years in close friendship.Rest in peace Joe.
March 30, 2015
h
March 30, 2015
To Ralph, Bob, Claire, Annette, Joe,and John,
Extremely sorry to hear about your father's death.
I read it in The Sunday Star-Ledger's obituary section.
Also, I noticed that your mother died in 1996. I was unaware. My condolences for that, also.
Your mother and father were such nice people. They were always so kind and gracious during one of my many stay overs at 3 Eagle during Ralph and my barnstorming days in the early seventies. They always went above and beyond to make me feel comfortable in your abode. I remember that to this day, and am grateful to them for that. They shall be missed.
I wish you all strength and comfort during this most difficult time.
I offer my deepest and sincerest condolences.
Jim McGrath
SBP, Class of 1972
March 30, 2015
Roy Anthony
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
March 30, 2015
Clare Silvestri Krakoviak
March 29, 2015
Ralph - I saw your dad's passing on FB and wanted to send you my sincere condolences.
Barbara McEnerney Fahey
March 29, 2015
My sincere sympathy and prayers are extended to the entire family, especially Bob who I worked with when I lived in Parsippany. Your mom and dad were very special people.
Elaine Dwyre
March 29, 2015
Bert & Mary Ann Peronilla
Condolence to Clare, Joe and Family and prayers for the eternal repose of the soul of Joseph. May perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace.
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Mar
30
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Quinn Hopping Funeral Home - Livingston145 East Mount Pleasant Ave, Livingston, NJ 07039
Mar
30
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Quinn Hopping Funeral Home - Livingston145 East Mount Pleasant Ave, Livingston, NJ 07039
Mar
31
9:30 a.m.
Quinn Hopping Funeral Home - Livingston145 East Mount Pleasant Ave, Livingston, NJ 07039
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Quinn Hopping Funeral Home - Livingston145 East Mount Pleasant Ave, Livingston, NJ 07039
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