Joseph "Jay" A. Pelleriti

Joseph was predeceased by his beloved parents, Florence Ricevuto Pelleriti and Benedetto Pelleriti; his brother, Salvatore Pelleriti; and his sister, Linda Pelleriti.

He is survived by his sister, Marie Pelleriti; his two children, Lauren Pelleriti Aiello and her husband, Christopher, and Salvatore Pelleriti and his husband, Eric; his two cherished granddaughters; his beloved dogs, Rocky and Bruno; as well as many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

Born on July 7, 1953, Joseph lived a life defined by dedication, curiosity, and a deep love for his family, friends, and the experiences that brought people together.

Joseph spent nearly four decades working for Bristol-Myers Squibb, where he was employed from November 1970 through January 2009. Throughout his career, he was known for his strong work ethic, reliability, and commitment.

A lifelong learner, Joseph placed great importance on education. He graduated from St. Joseph’s High School in Metuchen, New Jersey, Class of 1971, and continued his studies at Marquette University from 1972 to 1974, focusing on Spanish and English literature. He later attended Rutgers University, earning a degree in Psychology. Joseph went on to study at the Somerset School of Massage Therapy, graduating in 1994 with a focus on neuromuscular therapy, sports massage, and deep tissue techniques. He also attended Middlesex County College, where he studied Russian, graduating in 1999. Later in life, he earned a degree from Colorado Technical University in 2007, graduating summa cum laude with studies in human resource management, project management, and business management—reflecting his lifelong commitment to personal growth and learning.

Outside of his professional life, Joseph was a man of many passions. He had a love for poetry and writing, using words as a way to express his thoughts and reflect on life. He was very active in his church and found strength and community through his faith. Joseph was bilingual and had a natural curiosity about the world, which fueled his love for travel and experiencing new places.

He especially loved Atlantic City, a place that brought him joy time and time again. Whether traveling or staying close to home, Joseph enjoyed life’s simple pleasures—you could always find him with a Wawa coffee in hand, ready to start his day. He loved going out to eat and spending time with family and friends, never turning down the opportunity to be surrounded by good company.

Joseph will be remembered for his intelligence, his warmth, his love of conversation and connection, and the way he embraced both learning and living. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered by those who loved him.

Visitation will take place at Saint Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Church, 76 Whitehead Ave, South River, NJ 08882 on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM with the Panihida service starting at 7:30 PM.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 15, 11:00 AM. Interment will follow at Saint Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Saint Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Church.