Joseph J. Garolis

He was born in Jersey City, moved to Union City when he was married, and raised his children in Guttenberg and North Bergen. He is predeceased by his wife of 51 years, Jean, and his daughter-in-law, Denise. Joseph is survived by his children, Joseph, Jeannie, GaryWAA, Carol, and Billy, his sons-in-law Joe Tirrito and Kenny Callahan, his daughters-in-law Karen Garolis, Linda Brinkers, and Lisa Cooper. He will be greatly missed by his grandchildren Erin, Michael, JT, Michael and his wife Nicole, Brittany, Clint, Billy, Kylie, and Ben. Joe was blessed to see great-grandchildren Cole, Gavin, Danny, and Lucas. He was loved by many nieces and nephews, as well as childhood friends and people he befriended along his life's journey.

Joe was a man of many talents and very wise. He even obtained a patent for an automatic box wrench he invented. He was an avid boater, owned two yacht clubs, had his private passenger pilot's license, enjoyed water and snow skiing, finding "treasures" at garage sales, and was the family photographer. He was a member of the Lacey Elks where he stayed busy volunteering on the dock committee. He retired early from his job as a Teamster tractor trailer driver at the age of 57 so he could travel the world with his wife Jean and also went on numerous cruises. He spent the last 32 years as a snowbird wintering in Florida, and last winter moved to an adult community in Port St. Lucie where he participated in many activities and dances. In NJ he was a weekly bingo player and spent a lot of time watching cops and robbers, especially Blue Bloods! As he told his children, he lived a great life with 5 great kids, 9 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren, and at the ripe old age of 94 "and 3/8" (he would say), he had no complaints. BIG G accomplished so much during his life and did it all the way he wanted. No wonder his favorite song that Google played for him at the start of every day was "My Way".

A visitation will be held on Sunday, January 8, 2023, from 3-7 pm at Quinn Hopping Funeral Home, 145 E. Mt. Pleasant Ave., Livingston, NJ. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday, January 9, 2023, at 10 am at St. Philomena's Roman Catholic Church, 386 S. Livingston Ave., Livingston, NJ with entombment to immediately follow at Flower Hill Cemetery, 5433 John F. Kennedy Blvd., North Bergen, NJ. A repast luncheon will be held at Ravello's in East Hanover.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.quinnhoppingfuneral.com for the Garolis family.