Joseph William Cupoli

Loving Partner, Father, Brother, Uncle, Grandfather & Great-Grandfather
Joseph William Cupoli, 85, of Toms River, passed away Wednesday, December 4, 2024. Born in Glen Ridge, NJ, Joseph was the son of the late Joseph and Helen (Ferrara) Cupoli. He retired as manager for ShopRite in Rutherford, NJ. Joseph is survived by his life partner Bonnie Lanza, his children Joseph Cupoli, Lori Ann Palmieri, Caren Vallario (Mike), Donna Moleski (Dave), Jennifer Kensil (Charlie) and Christa Epitropakis (Semos), brother Robert "Bobby" Cupoli (Carol), nephews Todd, Robert, and David, sixteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his late brother Barry Cupoli.
His children fondly called him "Pop" and his grandchildren as "Pop-Pop", he was known as Captain by his brothers and nephews. Pop was a hard worker who, together with our Mom, Joyce Cupoli, provided a safe, warm, happy home of which we all have wonderful memories. Later in his life he met his partner Bonnie, and they have spent the last 25 years happily together.
Our fondest memories of Pop are his love of the outdoors. Because of him, his children and grandchildren have a beautiful appreciation of nature. He loved to garden, grow vegetables, loved cooking and loved eating even more! We all inherited his love of food!
Pop was a SKILLED SELF-TAUGHT carpenter who loved tinkering with home projects for his children. He could fix and build anything–-nothing was ever impossible for him! He fondly taught his grandson, Michael, the craft of woodwork and he will continue Pop's legacy.
He loved quiet mornings and watching the birds. His love of birds and the outdoors began as a teenager when he raised Homing Pigeons. Now he leaves behind his precious Parakeet "Rocky" and his love of birds has been passed on to many of his children.
Growing up, he and our mom took us camping--YES all 6 of us!---and then later on when his grandchildren came along. He was a wonderful storyteller and had a unique imagination. We fondly recall sitting around the campfire listening to his 'ghost stories' as he taught us how to tend a campfire.
His love of the Ocean was embraced by ALL 6 children and 16 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren! At one time, he owned a boat with his cherished Brothers–"The Brothers Three"---and we all have fond memories of being out on the water with our cousins and extended family. Our family's Love of the Ocean began before we were too young to recall when we were actually introduced to the Sea---we just know that we grew up as "People of the Water"
Pop taught his son and daughters how to check the car oil, take care of a pool, remove wallpaper, paint a room, and gave us advice on raising our boys. He was patient, kind, generous and fair. He loved adventures and having fun. He was a character– and he was so funny and a little bit CRAZY, but the good kind of crazy that we all inherited! The lessons he taught us were through his actions. He was a man of few words, but his acts of Love were limitless. He loved his children– he loved their children-- and cherished his brothers and three nephews.
Dad you will be missed so much and we wish we had one more day, one more conversation, one more "I love you" and one more hug and kiss.
You will be missed more than words can ever express and will live on through our stories of you forever..
Visitors will be received at the funeral home on Monday, December 9th from 2:00PM – 4:00PM, and 7:00PM – 9:00PM at the S.W. Brown & Son Funeral Home, (www.swbrownandson.com), 267 Centre St., Nutley.
The funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 10:00AM at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Bloomfield.