Obituary of Joseph J. Manghisi

World War II veteran and life-long public servant, Joseph J. Manghisi, of Clinton, NJ, passed away peacefully on his 92nd birthday. He was born October 20, 1924 to John and Rose Manghisi of Astoria, Queens. He moved to Newark, NJ as a child and attended South 17th Street Elementary School, Essex County Technical High School and the City College of New York. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1943 and was assigned to the U.S. Seabees 68th Battalion serving in the Pacific Theater of the war on the islands of Attu and Okinawa. After the war, Joseph became a Newark, NJ police officer and worked his way up to the rank of Deputy Chief and Chief of Detectives, serving the city for 28 years. Upon his retirement from Newark, Joseph became the Chief of Police in Clinton, NJ. He would later go on to become the Undersheriff of Hunterdon County, NJ and then an investigator in the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s office. He valued his family, his faith and his country. Joseph was a member of the International Police Chief’s Association, the PBA, the Fraternal Order of Police, and The Superior Officers’ Association. Joseph was an active parishioner of Immaculate Conception Church in Annandale. He enjoyed running and was a member of the Hunterdon Roadrunners and was also an expert marksman. In his retirement, he enjoyed volunteering for the Town of Clinton Parks and Recreation Committee and being a part of the Gem Vac Veteran’s Group. Most recently, the Town of Clinton honored Joe on Arbor Day by dedicating a tree to him for his commitment and dedication to the town - it is called the Joey tree. Joseph is survived by his wife of 62 years, Joan and their four daughters and spouses, Maria (Robert) Montalbano of Clinton, NJ, Roe (Jill) Manghisi of Lawrenceville, NJ, Nicole Gill of Flemington, NJ and Annette (Louis) Sciarretta of Wilton, CT. He is also survived by his greatest treasurers, his grandchildren: Danielle Carniero, Robert (Nicolle) Montalbano, Jonathan Gill, Michelle Montalbano, Allison Sciarretta and Andrew Sciarretta - and his great grandchildren: Giulian, Giovanni and Natalie. He is predeceased by his parents and siblings: John Manghisi, Frank Manghisi, MaryAnn McCall, and Victor Manghisi. A mass to celebrate Joe's life will be held on October 28, 2016 at 10 AM at Immaculate Conception Church, 316 Old Allerton Road, Annandale, NJ. Burial will be in the Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to one of the following veterans' charities: Summit for Soldiers, offers assistance to veterans suffering from service-related mental health issues, 205 West Henderson Rd, Columbus, OH, 43214. Puppies Behind Bars, trains prison inmates to raise service dogs for wounded war veterans, 263 West 38th ST, 4th Floor, New York, NY, 10018. There will be no calling hours at the funeral home.