Obituary of Captain Joseph P Cirella

Captain Joseph P. Cirella, 47, of Randolph, NJ passed away on December 22, 2015 at Morristown Medical Center after a courageous battle with cancer. Born and raised in Irvington, Captain Cirella was the proud son of Joseph and Angela Cirella. A graduate of the Morris County Police Academy, Captain Cirella’s first months as a police officer was spent undercover where he performed narcotics investigations. Joe was appointed to the Madison Police Department on February 13, 1989 after working at the Morris County Sheriff’s Office. Captain Cirella spent several years in the Detective Bureau before being promoted to Sergeant in July of 2002. He was again promoted to Detective Sergeant in November of 2006, Lieutenant in January of 2013, and Captain in September of 2015. Captain Cirella was instrumental in reinstituting the Madison Police Department Motor Unit in 2000 and he served as a devoted motor officer. Captain Cirella was currently enrolled at Fairleigh Dickinson University, completing his Bachelor’s Degree. He is a 1986 graduate of Parsippany Hills High School. Captain Cirella loved his job and made every attempt to return to work after being diagnosed with cancer. During his last hours, a nurse at Morristown Medical Center asked Joe if wanted anything; his response: “I just want to go back to work.” We will remember him as a great cop, a mentor, a devoted father, husband and above all, a great friend. Captain Cirella is survived by his loving wife, Amy (Sarles), of 18 years; his three beautiful children, Caroline, Joey, and Nicholas; his mother Angela (Massotto); and his twin sister Michelle McGlynn and her husband, Kevin. Captain Cirella was predeceased by his father, Joseph. Visiting will be on Tuesday, December 29, 2015 from 3-8pm at Burroughs, Kohr & Dangler Funeral Home, 106 Main Street, Madison, NJ. A Funeral Mass for Captain Cirella will be held on Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at 10:00am at St. Vincent Martyr Church, 26 Green Village Road, Madison, NJ. Entombment will follow at Hollywood Memorial Park, Union, NJ. Please omit flowers. Donations can be made to Madison PBA Local 92, in memo field please write “Captain Cirella”. This will be used for scholarship money for his children. Please address envelopes to Madison PBA 92, 62 Kings Road, Madison, NJ 07940, Attn: Vincent Dellavalle.