Joseph W. Broesler

BROESLER - Joseph W., on November 8, 2007, of Voorhees, NJ formerly of Marlton, NJ and Mineola, NY. Age 81. Beloved husband of Patricia (nee Koss). Devoted father of Thomas and his wife Carol, Joseph and his wife Linda, The Rev. Robert and his wife Karen, Gerard and his wife Cheryl, Patrick and his wife Susan. Loving grandfather of Sean, Glen and Jess, Melanee and Vinod, Robert Jr., Michele, Justin, Kerri, Brian, T.J., Andrew, Kyle and Colleen and great-grandfather of Kayla. Dear brother of Francis, Walter, Arlene Lentsch and Gerard. Joe is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Joe was a child of the depression, raised in the push and pull of pre-war New York City. A gifted singer, he was lead boy soprano in his parish choir. When he wasn't suspended for sneaking out of practice to play stickball! Music always remained a precious joy and so it was most appropriate that he took the love of his life to see Oklahoma on their first date in 1946. Joe eventually married Patricia "Patsy" Koss, raised five sons and shared 59 years of marriage. As a seaman in WWII, Joe served his country with distinction in both the Atlantic and Pacific Theaters. Those who played any card game with him or rolled dice at the Crap Table would learn, to their chagrin, what he did in his spare time on ship! In later life he was a faithful member of the Holy Name Society, the Knights of Columbus, a volunteer for the American Cancer Society, and was proud to be affiliated with Typographical Union #6. Joe possessed an amazing love for people, and most especially "the little guy". He worked his way up from the very bottom of the printing industry to eventually manage a series of production plants - yet never forgot his roots. To work for him was to have a boss who understood your world. This same capacity for empathy led to his lifelong compassion for the weak and the homeless. To quote Joe, "No matter how much I had in my pocket, I always gave a quarter to the Bowery bums". This attitude characterized all his relationships. Waitresses, maintenance staff, hospital aids, car mechanics - Joe treated everyone with respect, appreciation and kindness. Always "charming and loveable", his big, easy laugh and infectious smile was a free gift to all. Well, to all who were willing to spend five minutes hearing him share about his "five wonderful sons"! For family was his greatest joy and deepest value, thus no father was more loved, no grandfather more richly honored, no husband more sorely missed. Relatives and friends are invited to the viewing from 2-4pm Sunday afternoon and 7-9pm Sunday evening at GARDNER FUNERAL HOME, RUNNEMEDE, 126 S. Black Horse Pike, Runnemede, NJ 08078. Funeral Mass 11am Monday morning at St. Andrew the Apostle RC Church, Gibbsboro. Interment Harleigh Cemetery, Camden. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Mr. Broesler's memory to the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, c/o St. Lawrence RC Church, 100 South Ave., Lindenwold, NJ 08021. Expressions of sympathy may be e-mailed to Condolences@GardnerFuneralHome.com