Joseph Edward Borges

Joseph "Joe" Borges, age 66, died on June 30, 2024, in Middletown, New Jersey. Born on January 8, 1958, he grew up in Midland Park, New Jersey, as the youngest of five siblings. Joe graduated from Midland Park High School in 1976.
He attended Montclair State University where he participated in a work study program with the U.S. Customs Department. After moving to Brooklyn, he worked in the medical insurance field. During these years he particularly enjoyed camping trips with friends at Lake George, New York. Returning to New Jersey, Joe most recently drove a taxi, where he enjoyed meeting people and listening to their stories as he drove them up and down the Jersey Shore.
Joe had an encyclopedia-like mind. He was a lifelong lover of all kinds of movies and music, with a special appreciation for progressive and jazz artists. He enjoyed going to concerts as well as sports events, rooting for Arsenal Football Club (soccer was his favorite) as well as the Mets and Knicks. No one could match Joe in knowing random history facts or pop culture trivia. He also had a wicked sense of humor and enjoyed corny jokes. Joe was impossible to beat in board and card games and showed no mercy, regardless of one's age or ability level.
Joe provided lifelong caregiving support alongside his eldest sister, Barbara, for their mother, Jane, prior to her death in 2002. In 2012 he selflessly supported his sister Mary by providing a bone marrow transplant while she was battling leukemia. He flew from New Jersey to Australia - his first trip overseas - for the critical procedure, which saved her life.
Joe was predeceased by his parents, Jane and John Borges, and brothers John and James Borges. He is survived by his sisters Barbara (Larry) Erera of Middletown and Mary (Greig) McDowall of New South Wales, Australia, as well as sisters-in-law Karen Borges of Carmel, Indiana and Patricia Borges of Bristol, Rhode Island. He was also a beloved "Uncle Joe" to nieces and nephews David (Kristie), Matthew (Kate), Derek, and Amy Borges; Alan, Lauren (Marc), and Suzanne (Matt) Erera; and Angus (Yvette) and Cate McDowall. He had ten grandnieces and grandnephews.
John F. Pfleger Funeral Home is handling all arrangements.
Internment will be a later date.