Obituary of Joseph P DeGeorge

Joseph P. DeGeorge, age 79, of Annandale, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 15, 2021, at Hunterdon Medical Center in Flemington.

Born in New York City, he is the son of the late Angelo and Anna (Canizio) DeGeorge.

Joe grew up in East Harlem before moving to the Bronx, then Bergenfield, New Jersey, Manchester, Missouri, and Plano, Texas, finally settling in Annandale 38 years ago. 

He was a Director of Sales at Federal Express for 28 years, retiring in 2000. Joe was a strong leader and great storyteller, using his gift to inspire others to reach their potential. He was an avid gardener and enjoyed sharing his tomatoes and produce with family and neighbors. Joe’s annual tradition, including this year, of baking thousands of Christmas cookies (butterballs) and mailing them to family and friends around the world will be greatly missed.

He was a long-time member of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Whitehouse Station. A thoughtful and generous man, Joe was fair and kind and was known to give great advice. 

Known by his grandchildren as Popi, and others as “the man, the myth, the legend,” Joe cherished being a son, husband, father, brother, grandfather, great grandfather, godfather, uncle, cousin, nephew, and mentor to his loving family and friends. 

Joe is predeceased by his sisters Mary Borelli and Betty Camparato.

Joe is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Rosemarie (Esposito), his son, Angelo and his wife Barbara, his daughters, Annalisa Goldberg and her husband Howard, Angela Messina and her husband John, and Jennifer and her husband Keith Gadwah. He is also survived by his sister, Lana Santorelli and his 10 grandchildren, Eric, Daniel and his wife Joslyn, Justin, Sarabeth, Samantha and her husband Evan, Nicole, JC, Michael, Beatrice, and Arrow as well as two great granddaughters, Everly and Harlow.

Relatives and friends may visit with the family and pay their last respects at a viewing on Friday, December 17, 2021, from 3:00 to 7:00 PM at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 390 County Road 523 in Whitehouse Station, NJ, 08889.

A funeral liturgy will be held on Saturday, December 18, 2021, at 9:30 AM at Our Lady of Lourdes Church.

There will be no services at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations on behalf of Joe to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a charity he passionately supported using the below link.

https://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR/DIY/DIY?px=7330303&pg=personal&fr_id=133399