Joseph H. Burdi

Joseph Henry Burdi, 86, of Cranbury, passed away on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at the Cranbury Center in Monroe, NJ.
Joseph H. Burdi was born in Hell's Kitchen, a neighborhood in midtown Manhattan, in 1938. His career with the FDNY began in 1959 at Ladder Company 4 (A.K.A. "The Pride of Midtown") at West 48th Street and 8th Avenue. In that same year, he married Annette Marsico and they started their life together in Brooklyn. Joe was assigned to Engine Company 16 on East 25th Street near 3rd Avenue. This was a key Engine Company as they were first due at multiple hospitals in the area. Throughout his career Joe had different assignments, including a brand-new firehouse and a new Ladder Company in Rockaway, Queens. Due to a Line of Duty injury, Joe became an Aide to the Chief of Staff who oversaw a force of 12,000 members and hundreds of fire companies. Joe drove the Chief to major fires and incidents throughout New York City in addition to other responsibilities as the Aide to the Chief of Staff.
After Joe retired from the FDNY in the late 1970's, he attended the College of Staten Island and earned an associate's degree in industrial management and an additional certificate in safety technology. Joe then worked as a Plant Manager at a company that produced special chemical handling pumps where he developed the "Hazmat Chemical Recovery Kit" which was marketed to fire companies, emergency clean up companies, and public utilities. Joe went on to be a sales engineer of HVAC equipment, pressure vessels, large commercial water heaters, fire protection tanks and large fuel tanks.
Upon his retirement, Joe and Annette left Staten Island, NY, where they lived for 35 years, for Cranbury. At the Four Seasons Retirement Community, Joe could often be found playing poker, billiards and taking part in clubhouse events and parties. In addition, he enjoyed going on bus trips and attending men's luncheons and dinners. A good amount of his time was spent at the pool and hot tub.
Joe loved the ocean and his favorite spot to relax was the pavilion at the Manasquan Inlet. He also enjoyed vacationing with family and taking day trips by car with his wife.
Predeceased by his parents, Sebastian and Elfi (Jahier) Burdi; he is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Annette (Marsico) Burdi; his three daughters, Teresa Sacca and her husband, Jim, of Point Pleasant, NJ, Gina Schmeider and her husband, Bob, of Moorestown, NJ, Christine Marotta and her husband, Ken, of Cranford, NJ; his seven grandchildren, James Sacca and his partner, Frank Malzone, Marissa Sacca and her fiancé, Jason Goldstein, Nicole Schmeider and her partner, Ben Krimmel, Lauren Schmeider and her fiancé, Will Richardson, Timothy Marotta and his partner, Cara Landers, Philip Marotta, and Steven Marotta; his brother, Raymond Burdi and his wife, Deb; his sisters-in-law, Jean Zuccaro and Rosemarie Macario, and nieces and nephews.
Visitation for family and friends will be held at A.S. Cole Son & Co. Funeral Home, 22 North Main Street, Cranbury, NJ, on Tuesday, February 25, 2025 from 1:30 pm until 3:30 pm and 6:00 pm until 6:30, with a prayer service beginning at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will continue until 8:00 pm.
Cremation will be private.