Joseph Conte

Joseph Conte: April 3, 1937–January 10, 2026

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Giuseppe "Joseph" Conte-cherished father, family man, veteran, and lover of music - who left us on the 10th of January, 2026, in Morristown, NJ. He was born the son of a shoemaker on April 3rd, 1937 in the Southern region of Calabria, Italy. At the age of 9, he arrived in the United States by ship accompanied by his mother, Elisabetta and older brother, John. His formative years began in Brooklyn, NY, where he graduated from Manual Training High School in 1954. While still in high school, he worked in the mail room at General Drafting, where he met his future wife, Irma Vasquez, who worked in their touring division.

Joseph was offered a scholarship to Columbia University but declined it to work to help support his mother. He served two years in the Army Corps before marrying Irma in July 1958. His first professional job led him to Esso (later Exxon International) where he was as an oil analyst. Working there by day, he earned his degree in Business and Economics at Baruch College, by attending their night school program. His work ethic and intelligence were evident to all who worked alongside him, and his involvement in various associations served to highlight his dedication to professional growth and community service.

After his first child, son John Edward, was born in 1963, Joseph moved his family from Manhattan to the suburbs of Monmouth County in Manalapan, NJ. He welcomed his daughter, Maria-Elena, in 1971 and doted on her whenever possible. Joseph was determined to provide his children with everything he didn't have growing up: A stable family with a present father, a backyard to play in, and an ever-increasing community of neighbors who became extended family. A "DIYer" before it was in vogue, weekends were spent doing house projects in between social gatherings and driving his children to extracurricular activities. He became a staple of the neighborhood and could be seen running at a moment's notice to help out a neighbor. The phone would ring and Irma would say, "Hold on, Joe's on his way!"

Joseph had a great love for classical music, opera, and the arts; his knowledge of music often served as the backdrop to many family gatherings. Recognizing his son as a classical music prodigy, he would personally take him to piano lessons in Manhattan. He also delighted in his daughter's vocal talent and enjoyed attending both his children's many musical performances.

In 1983, after Joseph's division of Exxon moved from Manhattan to Florham Park, NJ, he relocated the family to Morristown, NJ. Finally, after 40 years of service, he retired in 1996. He spent the early years of his retirement living in both Barnegat, NJ and Florida, then eventually traveling with Irma, visiting family and friends, before resettling back in their Morristown home. He often said that if he had to do it all over again, he would have liked to have been a language teacher, being fluent in English, Italian and Spanish. When Irma became ill in 2016, he became her caregiver and was with her until the very end. Joseph is survived by his daughter Maria-Elena, his son John-Edward and his wife, Erin, his granddaughter Fiona, and his nephews, Joseph and John.

Family was the cornerstone of Joseph's life, and his children carry forward his legacy of love and selflessness. As we bid farewell to Joe, we reflect on a life well-lived, marked by the love he shared and the lives he touched. An intelligent, loving, selfless person whose actions and advice left a lasting impact on everyone he met. Joseph's presence will be profoundly missed, but the memories he created will continue to resonate in the hearts of those who knew him.

May he rest in peace, knowing that his time on earth was filled with purpose, love, and the sweet sounds of the music he adored. A celebration of his life is planned for Summer 2026.