Joseph Davidson

Joseph Michael Davidson, "Joe" or J.D. to his friends and Pop-Pop to his Grandkids, died peacefully while surrounded by his family on October 29, 2021 at the age of 82. Joe was born and raised in Newark, NJ. He met his beloved wife, Jeanne in Avon and they were married since 1967 and moved into their Manasquan Park, Wall Township home in 1969 where they raised their four children Kerry, Joe Jr, Terence, and Jennifer.
Joe was a graduate of Weequahic High School, Newark and Bradley University, Illinois where he played basketball and went on to earn two Masters degrees in administration and reading from Kean University. He served 2 years in the Air Force National Guard. Joe was a teacher for 37 years in the Howell Township School System where he also coached multiple basketball teams to a championship at Aldrich School. He served as President of the Howell Teachers Education Association for several years and was instrumental in getting family benefits for the employees. As a child, Joe loved spending summers in Belmar where he was a lifeguard for 14 years. He also established a successful Dee Jay business in the early 80s and proudly owned over 75,000 records.
Joe had a passion for sports, but especially loved coaching his children and their friends in basketball, baseball, and soccer. Being the sportsman that he was, he loved his Giants, Yankees, Notre Dame, Nets and Rutgers teams and could often be seen shouting at the television when they weren't playing up to his standards. If the team was really underperforming, he was known for a few strongly, written letters directly to the team owners, including George Steinbrenner, who personally responded with a phone call, which resulted in Joe getting his season tickets. He loved playing darts and developed long lasting friendships with his dart league buddies. He loved attending and cheering for his grandchildren at their soccer, ice hockey, basketball, and lacrosse games.
While he was an avid sportsman, music was also his true passion. He loved singing with his friends and family and became known throughout the Jersey Shore as "J.D. the Dee Jay" by playing at dances, proms (even his children's), weddings and parties. Joe never met a meal he didn't love, a drink with plenty of ice and his door was always open for impromptu family and friend visits. Joe, Jeanne and their kids loved to entertain and have fun parties, which always ended the night with dancing in their kitchen.
Joe was devoted to his Catholic faith and was a member of St. Martha's Roman Catholic Church in Point Pleasant. He instilled in his children and many others a love for their country where everyone in his home stood for the National Anthem. He loved his wife, children, their spouses, his 9 grandchildren, extended family and friends, especially his best man Charlie Wardell who was like a brother. He graced us all with his quick wit, humor and jokes. His love will forever be in our hearts. And we would be remiss if we did not mention the love Joe had for each and every member of his beloved fur family throughout his life, especially his golden retriever Kelly and his cat Big Red.
Joe was predeceased by his parents, Jean Restaino and her husband Bill, his in-laws Bill Zielenbach, Ross and Gerry Hirtzel, and Bill and Elaine Karl. He will be dearly missed by his wife, Jeanne and their four children and spouses: Kerry Textor (Michael), Joe Davidson Jr., Terence Davidson (Jessica) and Jennifer Davidson; nine cherished grandchildren, Jennifer, Jessica, Jack and Jaime Textor; Kyle and Ryan Davidson; Julia, Sophia and Grace Pupa; his sister-in-law Peggy Zielenbach, several nieces, nephews and God-children, many close friends and neighbors. The family would also like to thank his loving caregiver, Nino Sebua, his compassionate caregiver over the last year. We would also like to thank the Wall Township Police Department for their compassion, kindness, and support.
Family and Friends are invited to attend a visitation on Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021 from 4 pm - 8 pm at Orender Family Home for Funerals, 2643 Old Bridge Road, Manasquan, NJ 08736. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 am on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021 at St. Martha's Church, 3800 Herbertsville Road, Point Pleasant, NJ 08742. Entombment will follow Mass at St. Anne's Mausoleum, 1610 Allenwood Road, Wall, NJ 07719. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St Jude, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959 or Wall PBA or St. Martha's Church. To send condolences please visit www.orenderfamilyhome.net.