Joseph Michael Kraft

We regret deeply to announce the passing of Joseph M. Kraft on July 28, 2022. Joe was a witty, funny force of life and love, facing his time with a 'glass half full' mentality that always left him and those around him with a smile on their faces. Joe was a long-time resident of NJ, enjoying his retirement in Ocean Grove, spending his time with his bridge club, prayer group and entertaining visits from his family and grandchildren. Joe was born in Orange, NJ, to Albert Conrad Kraft and Mary Donovan. Joe married his first wife Elizabeth (Betty) Virginia of Alexandria, VA in 1954. Betty and Joe had sons Joseph Michael (Mike) and Peter Albert, who further blessed him with grandchildren Sean and Summer (Great grandchildren Raelyn, Skylee, Troy), and Charle, Maxent and Tristan. Joe later married the Reverend Janet Broderick of Manhattan, NY, in 1985, with whom he had children James Conrad and Hannah Marie.

Joe had a long and varied career as an attorney, working in the music, publishing and car rental businesses, among others. Straight from law school at Columbia, one of his first positions was assistant US Attorney for the state of NJ. Later in his career he was in-house for RCA (the Apple of its day), in-house at Hertz, a prosecutor in New Jersey, in-house at Random House, General Counsel for Penthouse Magazine, ending his career at the publishing house of Harcourt, Brace, Javanovich. Joe was accepted to the bar in New York, New Jersey and Florida, and was a member of the international legal fraternity of Phi Delta Phi. His legal achievements included writing the first royalty contracts for 8 track cassettes and establishing the right of prisoners to subscribe to periodicals.

Besides Columbia Law, Joe was intensely proud of his alma mater Georgetown University, and his high school Xavier High School in New York City. He and his son James (Xavier '04) attended the annual "Turkey Bowl" with Xavier's arch rival Fordham Prep every year, sometimes accompanied by his varsity athlete children Peter and Hannah. He volunteered for his entire career, using his legal skills to help establish over 50 units housing for the poor in Jersey City, NJ among other contributions. He was also a Knight of Columbus and taught Sunday School.

When not intimidating his bridge foes, practicing law or sharing old stories with his children, Joe's passion was sailing, from the age of 7 when he and his Uncle Fred built his first sneakbox sailboat in Lavallette, NJ. He learned to compete early, participating in weekly Junior regattas on Barnegat Bay. Later in life he graduated to a Pearson 30, a member of the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club where the family enjoyed pleasure cruises in between racing Regattas with his nephews (Ed, Tom and Len Doolin) and sons. He also loved fishing in Barnegat Bay with his first son Michael and later Peter. His last boat, Serendipity, a beautiful day sailor, was enjoyed with Janet, James, and Hannah when on vacation in Maine.

Joe was a talented piano player and was ever ready to tickle the ivories at a house party or a restaurant. Never shy to share his life experience and observations, you could start him up easy, but never cut him short! He will be sorely missed, but his spirit lives on. Mike carries a passionate love for the outdoors, his son Peter is an accomplished off-shore racer, and his children James and Hannah love to make music for their friends, family, and anyone else who will sit still.

The Funeral will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church, 503 Asbury Ave., Asbury Park, NJ at 11am on Friday August 5.

Donations may be sent to Xavier HS in NYC or the Ocean Grove Senior Center.