Obituary of Joseph John Coccia, Jr.

Joseph John Coccia, Jr went home to be with the Lord on January 14, 2021. He is survived by his wife Nancy, his children and their spouses Joseph III and Melissa, Matthew and Karen, and Elizabeth and Tom, his grandchildren Matthew Jr., Claire, Kevin, Penelope, and Joseph IV, his sisters and their families, Elisa and Anthony Scarpino and Anna Marie Cesario, and his many nieces and nephews. Joe was born in Newark, NJ on July 1, 1947. In his early years, Joe worked for the family businesses, delivering bread with his father and working at a gas station. After graduating college from Seton Hall, he spent time teaching math in the Newark, NJ school system before applying to be an investigator for the U.S. Department of Justice. He got the job, and after completing 6 months of training in Texas, he moved back to New Jersey and commuted between the home he shared with Nancy in Bloomfield, NJ, and his office in Washington, D.C. Joe and Nancy eventually moved to Morris Plains, NJ in 1986, where they raised their three children in a loving home, staying in close proximity to Joe’s parents and sisters. Everyone who knew Joe looked up to him, both literally and figuratively. At 6’6”, he was a large, powerful man, but those who knew Joe well knew of his gentler side: he honored his parents with love and respect, adored his wife, loved his children unconditionally, and could not get enough of his grandchildren. He was a caring big brother to his sisters, a reliable confidant and garage partner to his brothers-in-law, and an amazing uncle to his nieces and nephews. Joe loved his family immensely, and the look of pride on his face when he was with them was unmistakable. Joe was usually the smartest person in the room. He could also build or repair anything. Woodworking, mechanics, plumbing, and electronics were all in his repertoire. Joe raced cars (if it moved, he could drive it!), was an accomplished pilot, and could easily manage any size boat in the choppy waters of Barnegat Bay. He was an avid reader and student of history, a great cook (best pizza on the East Coast!), and he taught himself to play the piano and accordion. Simply put, Joe was one of a kind. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his name to the Foundation for Morristown Medical Center, a hospital that always took such good care of Joe and his family. Joe never said goodbye; he only ever said “see you later.” At his request, a wake was not held. Instead, close family members gathered for a private viewing, where his wife, children, grandchildren, sisters, and their families said a heartbreaking “see you later” to a wonderful, loving, unforgettable man.