Joseph Nicholas Meola Sr., more affectionately known as Joe, was born on St. Joseph’s day on March 19, 1946 to the late Agnes and Nicholas Meola. He was born in St. Michael’s Hospital in Newark, New Jersey. In his early childhood, Joe completed CCD classes, was an altar boy, and participated in his confirmation at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. He learned to play the piano and played often with his loving sister Julie. Joe enjoyed school but longed for his annual family retreats to the beach house in Long Branch, NJ from the 4th of July to Labor Day, where he and his sister would often sing, “ See ya in September!” by The Happenings. He attended St. Francis Xavier grammar school, started his high school career at Seton Hall Preparatory and graduated from Barringer High School in 1964. From there he went to Jersey City State College. Joe majored in Special Education and graduated in 1967. That September, he accepted a teaching position with the Newark Board of Education and began teaching at Montgomery Street School, which was then an all boys school. Little did he know, he would spend his entire 43 year career at the same school - the place where he would foster friendships that turned into family members and the place he would meet the forever love of his life. During his career, Joe has taught a variety of subjects. He began as a teacher of academics, then moved on to teach Business Education, Computer Applications, Computer Repair and lastly, C-Tech. He taught the first student in Newark to become C-Tech certified. He also taught English as a Second Language to adults at College Hospital and East Side High School in Newark for 15 years. Among his many accomplishments, Joe was Union Representative for the Newark Public Schools for several years, he received the Governor's Award for Teacher of the Year and also received the Benedetto Croce Presidential Award. In 1970 and 1971 he participated in the Newark Teachers Union historic strikes and was injured in the 1971 strike. He moved to Beachwood, NJ for a number of years but returned to his hometown of Newark in 1981. During this time he met his wonderful future wife Linda, and they were eventually married on November 8, 1986. One of the most beautiful gifts their union produced was three children, Nykita, Courtney, and Joseph Jr. After his retirement in 2010, he rewarded himself with his favorite car - the Corvette. Joe had an affinity for all classic cars. He enjoyed going to the YMCA daily to swim and participate in other activities with fellow YMCA members, exploring different diners throughout the state of NJ, dog sitting his GrandPups: Pepper and Ghost, going on long walks, driving down to Atlantic City and traveling domestically and internationally with his family, going on cruises, a great meal cooked by his wife and visiting his choice of restaurants. Joe appreciated the simple things in life - going to the beach, eating breakfast with his family at the Parkwood Diner on Sunday mornings after church, taking spontaneous drives with his wife and family, watching movies, Facetiming, watching Netflix series, telling jokes and parables, instilling morals and values in his children and thinking of different ways to put a smile on his wife’s Linda’s face. Joseph was truly an angel on earth. He was selfless, benevolent, outgoing, humble and an absolute family man. He was always able to find the silver lining in any gray cloud and taught his family and friends how valuable life is - it should always be lived and cherished with your loved ones and lived with a smile on your face. Joe was always joking - sometimes even at the most inappropriate times! Joseph leaves to cherish in his memory his wife, soulmate and best friend of 38 years, Linda; three children: Nykita T. Dixon (Michael), Courtney Crawford (Andrew), Joseph N. Meola Jr. (Kelly); grandson: Michael Logan Dixon; dear sister: Julia Nardone; niece: Marielena Glassman (Lenny); nephew: John Andalora; best friend: Lawrence “Larry” Carpenter; godsons: Marcal Parker (Zully) and Brian Coppola; Montgomery Street School family; and a host of other family and friends.
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