Joseph F. Heiser, Jr.

Born May 1, 1934, in Weehawken, NJ, Joseph Francis Heiser Jr. entered eternal life on September 26, 2025, at Mountainview Gardens at Cedar Crest in Pompton Plains, NJ. Joe was a lifelong resident of New Jersey who grew up in Guttenberg. He was the only child of Joseph Francis Heiser Sr. and Margaret Heiser. In 1956, he married Sandra Grace Gangemi of North Bergen, and together they raised five children in Ridgefield Park before moving to Hillsdale in 1973. In 2023, Joe and Sandra moved to the Cedar Crest Continuing Care Retirement Community in Pompton Plains.

Joe is survived by his devoted wife of 69 years, Sandra Grace Heiser. He was a loving and dedicated father to:

• Cheryl Ann Winkler and her husband, Lawrence Winkler

• Laurette Kratina and her husband, Kevin Kratina, along with their children, Cherilyn, Garret, and Chad

• Joseph Heiser III and his wife, Maria Arabella Heiser, and their daughter Grace

• Gary Heiser and his wife Kerry Heiser, and their children Taryn, Shannon, Ryan, and Connor

• Lawrence Heiser and his late wife Cynthia Heiser

A devout Roman Catholic, Joe was a long-term parishioner of Saint John the Baptist Church in Hillsdale. He earned an associate degree in automotive technology in Detroit, Michigan, and built a career as an automobile parts manager at dealerships throughout northern New Jersey. He was also a proud member of the Westwood Elks Lodge for more than 40 years.

Joe cherished family vacations at the Jersey Shore, enjoyed visiting lighthouses along the northeastern U.S. coastline, and was an avid Lionel model train collector, operator and enthusiast. He will be remembered for his tremendous patience and humility, gentle spirit, sense of humor, and unwavering honesty and integrity.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Joe’s memory are greatly appreciated and can be made to Saint John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, 69 Valley Street, Hillsdale, NJ 07642.

https://membership.faithdirect.net/givenow/NJ48/1452

or the Cedar Crest Community Care Fund which provides assistance to residents who outlive their financial resources and need help remaining in their Cedar Crest, Pompton Plains, NJ homes.

Cedar Crest Community, 1 Cedar Crest Drive, Pompton Plains, NJ, 07444.

A funeral mass will occur Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, 69 Valley St, Hillsdale, NJ 07642. A committal will occur Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM at George Washington Memorial Park, 234 Paramus Rd, Paramus, NJ 07652.