Joseph Edwin Herbert

A loving tribute to a life well-lived Joseph “Joe” Herbert, of Beachwood, passed away on September 14, 2023 at Holiday City Care Center in Toms River after a short, but brave battle against his greatest enemy, pancreatic cancer.

Joe was born in Bayonne, NJ to Edwin E. and Mary E. Herbert (nee Franz) on August 26, 1947. He was raised in both Bayonne and Jersey City. He graduated from Henry Snyder High School in Jersey City, class of 1964. Shortly thereafter, he volunteered for Army Service during the Vietnam War. He became a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Group, having completed over 100 jumps. He achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant (MOS Chemical and NBC NCO) and relished his time as a drill sergeant. His service to our country took him to many places, including Strasbourg, Germany and one of his favorites, Hong Kong. He constantly talked about the delicious food at Jimmy’s Kitchen, a unique European restaurant he frequented there on Wyndham Street, well known for their voluminous 100 page menu.

Upon returning home from Vietnam in 1975, he enrolled in night classes for business at County College of Morris while working as an over the road truckdriver. After divorcing his first wife, Joe moved to Toms River with his parents. He transferred to Ocean County College in 1983, where he met Nora, the love of his life. They discovered a common interest in martial arts/fitness and took Karate classes together there. Joe and Nora eventually married at Chapel of the Air, Lakehurst, in a military style ceremony on September 17, 1988, enjoying many years together.

Some of their most memorable times were: their honeymoon cruise to Bermuda; traveling to San Francisco and Newport Beach, CA (where Nora’s Dad and Stepmom lived); traveling to Charlotte, NC, the hub of NASCAR racing; seeing some of the beautiful sites in our great state of New Jersey, among them Cape May at Christmas time, High Point State Park, and the October Lighthouse Tour/Challenge; as well as many Thanksgivings with the Mulholland cousins in Freehold; and attending Moody Blues and Holiday Express concerts, plus Blueclaws and Phillies games.

Joe continued to serve in the Army Reserves during monthly training weekends for the next 15 years after marrying Nora while working in various transportation jobs. He also enrolled in maritime training at the Seafarers Harry Lundberg School of Seamanship, Piney Point, MD during this time, which he completed in 2003, to enhance what he’d learned as a tugboat captain during his earlier Vietnam service.

But Joe strongly felt the call of duty to serve his country full-time again in 2004, when he functioned as a Chemical Ops Specialist, training troops at Fort Dix (78th Division) for deployment to Afghanistan during OEF. This was his last tour of duty, where he was honorably discharged in 2006. During his Army service, Joe has received numerous awards, including Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Commendation and Achievement Medals, and several Army Good Conduct and Army Reserve Achievement Medals.

Joe’s inner calling to give back to society in a meaningful way led him to complete his undergrad studies at Kean University in 2010 so that he could teach Social Studies and History at High School level. He received his NJ state teaching certification and became a substitute teacher. However, this venture didn’t prove satisfying, so Joe returned to Kean University to complete his college education, where he graduated with honors as a member of Pi Alpha Alpha, the Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration, earning a Master’s in Public Administration, specialization Environmental Planning, in 2013. This was a proud day of achievement for him, as he was the only male family member to reach this level of education.

Joe was a huge railfan, having started his love of steam trains as a child when his father, Edwin, worked for Penn Central Railroad as a mechanic/engineer. He especially enjoyed going on the haunted train ride with Nora at Allaire State Park during Halloween time.

Joe was also a big NWSL fan, particularly the NJ/NY Gotham, San Diego Wave and Angel FC; some of his favorite players were Carli Lloyd, Alex Morgan (plus Alex’s daughter Charli, future NWSL star) and Kristin Press. He became enamored with European football when he played the game in Germany while stationed there during his Army service.

A talented artist, he enjoyed sketching outdoor scenes in watercolor and pen & ink, especially local river/beachfront areas with boats and lighthouses, and of course his beloved steam trains.

Joe enjoyed his last years at the new Beachwood house he and Nora moved into in November 2020. His favorite activities there included creating a native flower garden; planting Japanese pear, red bud and Colorado spruce trees; and puttering around in their basement with various woodworking projects, making their house a home. He especially liked sitting in the wicker rocking chair on their front porch, greeting neighbors and friends who passed by, and of course, blowing kisses to Nora as she drove off to work.

Joe possessed the gift of gab, which will always be remembered by the many people he met on his life’s journey. With a passion for politics, he never missed an opportunity to debate anyone who was willing to join him on his soapbox 😊, especially John Mulholland.

Joe is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Nora, first cousin Jane Mulholland, and many 2nd and 3rd Mulholland cousins.

A memorial gathering will be held Sunday, October 8, 2023 from 2:00 to 5:00 PM at Anderson & Campbell Funeral home, 703 Main Street Toms River, NJ. A graveside committal service will be held on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at 1pm at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veteran Memorial Cemetery, Arneytown, North Hanover Township, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Joe to Tunnels to Towers and Sherry Strong.

https://t2t.org

https://sherrystrong.org/