Joseph Tintle

Joe was born in Teaneck and grew up in Fords and the Convent Station section of Morris Township. He lived in Elizabeth before moving to Union 30 years ago. He was a graduate of Delbarton School in Morristown and held bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, where he played varsity baseball. A sometimes questioning but devout Catholic, Joe was a Benedictine oblate at St. Mary’s Abbey in Morristown.

Joe was a teacher for the last 19 years at Elizabeth High School’s Thomas A. Edison Career and Technical Academy. Before becoming a teacher, he was a sportswriter at The Dispatch of Union City, The Daily Journal of Elizabeth, New York Newsday and The Ring magazine. His story, “The Bayonne Bleeder’s Bloodiest Brawl,” was included in the 1990 edition of "Best Sports Stories,” published by The Sporting News.

Joe had a passion for ice cream and desserts of all varieties, The Twilight Zone, the Beatles and the New York Yankees, delivering frequent sermons to all who would listen on why Don Mattingly belonged in the Baseball Hall of Fame. He took great pride in seeking out unusual views of the New York City skyline and of the planets and stars in the night sky. An unfailingly kind and generous man, he provided a loving home to rescue animals and an open heart and mind to all in need.

Joe was predeceased by his parents, Carmel and Alice (Hayes) Tintle. Surviving are his wife of 33 years, Kathleen (McDermott); two sons, Kieran and his wife, Mariangel, and Patrick; his sister, Alice Maureen Colabella and her husband, Christopher; his niece, Meghan Colabella; and his nephew, Brian Colabella, his wife, Cara, and their daughter, Blake. He also leaves behind almost 20 years of students in whom he sought to instill his love of learning, language and humor.

A celebration of Joe’s life will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the McCracken Funeral Home, Union.

Those wishing to make a memorial contribution might kindly consider the Mustard Seed School for children experiencing homelessness, part of the Loaves and Fishes organization in Sacramento, California, where Joe’s son, Kieran, is a teacher. Please visit sacloaves.org/programs/mustardseedschool for details.