Joseph Rocco Pellettiere

Born on April 6, 1951, in Queens, NY to the late Joseph and Maria Josephine (nee Lorusso) Pellettiere, the third of seven children. After graduating from Hillside High School, Joseph graduated from Lincoln Technical School in Newark, NJ. After working as a diesel mechanic for 11 years, he established a 38-year career at ExxonMobil as a Senior Research Technician, where his innovation and ingenuity was recognized as a patent holder on behalf of ExxonMobile. With his love for physical fitness, he obtained his Personal Trainers certification and worked part-time for many years at the West Essex YMCA, of Livingston. He applied his mechanical abilities working part-time at Conant Street Auto Service in Hillside.

Joseph would wed Barbara (nee Hathaway), his high school sweetheart, on May 13, 1972, and together they began raising their family in Hillside with the birth of their son, Joseph “Joey”, and subsequent births of their son James, and their daughter Laura. His world revolved around his family, who were the greatest source of his pride, happiness and purpose.

Joseph found simple pleasures in cheering on his NY Yankees, tending to his garden, baking holiday apple pies, cheesecakes and cookies, finding the biggest Christmas tree, and searching for the biggest pumpkin to carve for Halloween. He looked forward to his annual summer vacation with his family to Wildwood Crest, NJ where he enjoyed walking the beach, making sand sculptures, indulging in ice cream sundaes and competing in mini golf. Joseph was a member of multiple bowling leagues, a member of the Hillside Volunteer Fire Department, and a volunteer for the Hillside Little League as a coach and groundskeeper.

Joseph is predeceased by his son, Joseph. He leaves behind his wife Barbara, son James, and daughter Laura, brother Stephen and sister-in-law Susan, brother Michael, brother William and sister-in-law Susan, and sister Maria (Matthews) and brother-in-law Joseph, sister Sofia (Hancock) and brother-in-law Bobby, sister Erma (Hennings) and brother-in-law Gary, brother-in-law Dwight Hathaway and sister-in-law Mary. Also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit the McCracken Funeral Home 1500 Morris Ave, Union, NJ 07083 on Thursday October 29, 2026, from 4:00 - 8:00 pm. A mass of Christian burial will be held at Holy Spirit Church on Friday October 30, 2026, at 11:00am followed by interment at the Graceland Memorial Park, Kenilworth, NJ.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Joseph's name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, PO Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101-9929.