Joseph Maraia

Joseph Maraia of New City, NY, 82 years old, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on May 21st, 2022, his sixty-second wedding anniversary with his beloved wife, Diana. Joe was born and raised in Fairview, NJ, and raised his family in New City. He was born on January 25th, 1940 to Anna and John Maraia. Joe graduated from Memorial High School in 1957 where he was an All-County football player. His team won the New Jersey State Championship three times during his time as a player. Joe joined the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) at 17 years old and loved his work. He became the Assistant Business Manager in 1977 and led the union as Business Manager from 1991 to 2005. Joe served many roles in the community, including Rockland County Labor Commissioner, President of the Rockland County Central Labor Council and Building Trades, President of the New York State Business Managers, and a member of the AT&T National Bargaining Committee. Joe’s greatest joys came from his family and he loved to spend time with his kids and grandkids by the pool. He was a cherished husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He is survived by his wife Diana; his children, John (Anna), Joseph (Christine), Denise Maraia Connell (Kevin), and Mark (Rachel); and his fourteen grandchildren, Jessica Maraia Marman (Brian), Matthew, Jackie Connell, Nikki Connell, Danielle, Jake, Joseph, Vince, Deanna Connell, Corinne Connell, Mark, Luke, Anthony, and Nicholas. He is also survived by his sister Loretta Heim, brother John, sister-in-law Lori Loughnane, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Gerald. Joe glowed with pride for all of his children and grandchildren. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Family will receive friends on Thursday from 4-8pm at Higgins Funeral Home in New City, NY. Funeral mass will be held on Friday, 10am, at St. Augustine’s Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to ‘The Trustees of Columbia University’ and please indicate ‘Dr. Lassman’s Brain Tumor Research/IMO Joseph Maraia’ on the memo line and mail to: Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Office of Development, 516 W. 168th St., 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10032, or online at https://medicine.givenow.columbia.edu/?alloc=16367#. Alternatively, memorial donations can be made to Holy Name Villa Marie Claire Hospice Foundation, 718 Teaneck Road, Teaneck, NJ 07666.