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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