OBITUARY

Joseph Toscano

July 12, 1929 – October 30, 2013
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Joseph Toscano of Toms River, NJ passed away on October 30, 2013. He was born on July 12, 1929 in Bronx NY. He was the oldest of 6 children born to Frank and Nardina Toscano. He grew up in the Bronx and attended PS 66 through 6th grade and Bronx Vocational High School through 10th grade. At age 16 he left home for Florida to seek employment but also to help cope with the loss of his paternal grandmother whom he dearly loved. After living and working in Florida for 6 months, he returned home to his family in the Bronx. Upon his return, he began to work for his father in the ice and coal business. At age 17, he convinced his father to sign early authorization to join the army. In 1946 he was deployed to Japan and served there during the occupation until he was honorably discharged. When he returned from military service, he rejoined his father to work on a private contract with the US Main Service. In 1950, he became a driver for the USPS. He remained in the employ of the Federal Government until his retirement in 1984.

He met his one and only true love, Francesca Zucchero, in 1952. They were married in 1953. In 1956 they had their first child Linda Ann and in 1959 their son Joseph Anthony. They moved to Brooklyn in 1960 and remained there until 1985 when they retired to Toms River NJ. In Toms River, Joseph drove a bus in his senior community until 2003 . In 1990 he was blessed with his one and only grandchild, Marin Sequoia Toscano. She was the apple of his eye for the remainder of his life.

Joseph maintained an active lifestyle which included regular travel to see his children in Florida and Colorado. He enjoyed many travel adventures and realized a lifelong dream in 2006 by visiting his homeland of Italy with his wife. He was a true music lover with tastes ranging from Sinatra to Springsteen. He was a self taught harmonica player who could learn songs easily by ear. Despite separate cancer incidents in 2003 and 2008, he continued to dance, sing and travel.

Joe was a regular volunteer at his local Catholic Church, St. Maximilian Kolbe in Toms River. He was an active member of the Mens Club of Holiday City South, the VFW, and the Italian American Club.

His characteristic feature was his easy smile and genuine warmth for people. He could make friends anywhere and had a way of disarming perfect strangers with his warmth, generosity, and curiosity. Simply put, he loved people. Although small in stature, those closest to him referred to him as the “little big man”. In multiple circumstances throughout his life, he demonstrated remarkable courage and integrity.

He was preceded in death by both parents, his brother Rocky Toscano of Liberty, NY, his sister Mary Leeds of Hartford, CT and his brother Peter Toscano of Lake Huntington, NY. He is survived by his wife Francesca, his daughter Linda Campbell and her husband David of Stuart, FL, his son Joseph Toscano and his wife Helen of Lyons, CO, his granddaughter, Marin Toscano, presently studying and residing in Beijing, China, his brother Frank Toscano of Greeneville, TN and his brother Louis Toscano of Narrowsburg, NY.

Visitation will be held Sunday, November 3 between the hours of 2 and 4pm and again between 7 and 9pm at the Quinn Hopping Funeral Home at 26 Mule Road, Toms River, NJ. A funeral service is scheduled for Monday, November 4, 2013 at 10:30am at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church. Burial services will follow at Rolling Hills Green Park Cemetery in the Township of Marlboro, NJ. Family and friends are invited to join us in fellowship for food and drink at the Clarion Hotel in Toms River, following the Rite of Interment. Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the American Cancer Society and sent c/o Quinn Hopping Funeral Home. To leave condolences for the family visit www.quinnhopping.com

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Services

PREVIOUS SERVICES:

  • Visiting Hours Sunday, November 3, 2013
  • Visiting Hours Sunday, November 3, 2013
  • Funeral Mass Monday, November 4, 2013

PREVIOUS SERVICES:

  • Entombment
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REMEMBERING

Joseph Toscano

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November 25, 2013

Poppa, I heard your whipper whill whistle the other day while in my porch. Thank you for letting me know you are and always will be near. I loved you so very much, my daddy. Your daughter, Linda

Marin Toscano

November 14, 2013

Wow - You all put together a legacy of photos that brought back so many great memories for me as well as showed me a glimpse into his earlier days when I was just a twinkle in the sky. So amazing to see how much he changed through the years but how his smile and the heart that could not be hidden behind it, always shone through so brightly. His spirit of openness to new experiences, cultures and people and child-like curiosity lives through me and many others. I can almost hear him chuckle every time I come across some dance in the park and join in, or find some new food and somehow end up having a new friend insist on buying it for me. We both have a common love for food - that was always evident to anyone who had a meal with us. I have recently been nick-named by my friends in China a term that literally translates as someone who lives to eat. I think this name may have more or less been given to him at some points as well. I know his wife Francis knew the way to his heart and won it easily through cooking. I know he is joining me up in heaven for some of my more extravagant meals of Peking duck and braised pork belly here in China. He always did love Chinese food. A close second to Italian. I love you Grandpa - Marin Toscano

Cathy Stevens

November 6, 2013

Joseph, Helen, and Marin,
Joseph always had a smile on his face. He was a very happy father, and husband. I remember the day I met him when you got married. He loved the celebration of marriage and the feast that followed. God Bless you all.
Love, joy and peace,
Cathy and Jack

Mona Norfleet

November 5, 2013

Some of the things that I remember about my Uncle Joe:
We shared some of the same taste in music: Sinatra, Jerry Vale, Mario Lanza and Rosemary Clooney to name a few. It was how we communicated.
He seemed to have an abundance of zeal for life.
He brought so much joy to my Mom, his sister Mary, during his visits with her in her last days. For that, I will always be forever grateful to him and all the brothers, my uncles.
And last, but not least, his infectious smile. Rest peacefully, Uncle Joe.
Linda, Joe, and Aunt Frances, my prayers are with you. Love, your niece and cousin, Mona.

Bob Colucci

November 2, 2013

He was the biggest little man we have ever met. May God bless him and his beloved family in this time of sorrow. He will be missed.

Marianne and Bob Colucci

Joseph Toscano

November 2, 2013

Dear Father, Yes, there is something important I wanted to tell you. I LOVE YOU all of the time, every day. That will never change. Your son, Joseph

FROM THE FAMILY

First Communion

FROM THE FAMILY

GI JOE

FROM THE FAMILY

The Uptown Boys!

FROM THE FAMILY

Family Together

IN THE CARE OF

Quinn Hopping Funeral Home
Toms River, NJ
732-240-3800