Obituary of Joseph Albanese

Joseph Albanese, Jr. Bangor, PA Joseph Albanese, Jr., 91, passed away on September 9, 2016, at the Veterans Administration center in Lyons, NJ. Born in Bangor, PA, he was the son of the late Joseph Albanese, Sr. and Henrietta Albanese.Joe served in the U.S. Navy and Marines during WWII and fought in the South Pacific. Wounded there, he received the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts, as well as a Presidential Citation. He had an accomplished career of 45 years in the automobile business, including serving as the General Manager of Circle Buick in Flemington, NJ.Active in his community of Belvidere, NJ where he lived for 85 years, Joe was a past president of the Belvidere Rotary Club and was a Paul Harris Fellow. He was also instrumental in the installation of the Rotary clock and benches in the town. Joe was a life member of the American Legion Post 131 and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5193. He was honored as the Memorial Day parade Grand Marshall a number of times. Joe was actively involved in the creation of the Veteran's Memorial erected at the Court House square. He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church. Joe's heart was always in Belvidere.Joe was an avid sports fan, and he played and managed a baseball team in the Tri-County League, winning the championship in 1957. Upon his retirement he owned and operated a sports memorabilia store - Albanese Sports Gallery - for approx. twenty years. With a terrific memory, he was an ace at baseball trivia, quoting facts, figures and names over many years. You wouldn't want to bet against him.One of his greatest joys was his grandchildren. He was actively involved in their earlier years, including babysitting, shopping trips and vacations. He reveled in their accomplishments. They blessed him with nine great grandchildren as well.Joe was married to Lottie C. (Nawrocki) Albanese who he leaves behind. They were five days shy of being married for 70 years. In addition to Lottie, Joe's survivors are his sister Joyce Clair of Virginia Beach, VA, son Gary (and Patty) Albanese of Belvidere, and daughter Donna (and Jim) Stout of Bloomingburg, NY. He also has six grandchildren: Pamela, Alison, Catherine, Jennifer, Sarah and Natalie; as well as nine great grandchildren: Josephine, Audrey, Sophia, Wesley, Ian, Emma, Jack, Madelyn and Lily. Joe was predeceased by his brothers Robert and Philip, their daughter Catherine and grandson Brandon.Cremation was under the direction of DeVoe Funeral Service in Washington, NJ. Memorial Services will be 10AM Saturday November 5th at St Patrick Roman Catholic Church in Belvidere NJ. Burial of his ashes will follow in the St Patricks Cemetery Belvidere