Joseph H. Deucznewski

Joseph H. Deucznewski passed away at the age of 58 on May 2, 2025 in Freehold, NJ. He was born November 15, 1966 in Elizabeth, NJ to Henry and Violet Deucznewski. He grew up in Elizabeth, NJ and later moved with his family to Brick, NJ until finally settling in Long Branch in 1991 with April, his loving partner of 37 years.
Joe attended Elizabeth High School and then Edison Vocation Technical Institute. He then attended the Institute of Security & Technology in PA. One of Joe's proudest achievements was receiving his black belt in the Filipino fighting art, Pami Kol.
He was one of the first 12 in the US to reach that level. At the time of his passing, he was employed with Caring with Compassion, a provider agency that cares for the Developmentally Disabled community. Joe loved his work tremendously.
He had great respect for his clients and they for him. He always said he felt that they were his friends more than they were clients. They enjoyed many wonderful, joyful experiences and adventures with them. Many referred to Joe as a father figure. He felt honored. He often said that it made him feel good to help people. He was genuine, loyal, sincere, kind, and giving, with a heart of gold. He was quick-witted with an incredible sense of humor. Joe loved to make people laugh. In 2024, Joe began his professional Santa Clause journey. The first time was at a Christmas party for a large group of the DDD community. He couldn't stop smiling. It made him feel so good to see them smile.
Joe truly enjoyed being "spotted" by kids in the stores with their parents at Christmas time. He always had a smile and a kind word for them. There was also an emotional "Special Delivery" visit to the family of a very dear late friend. Sadly, it was also Joe's final gift as Santa.
Joe had a passion for motorcycles and the feeling of freedom and comradery that came with riding and the being part of the motorcycle community. His favorite season to ride was Autumn. Joe also loved classic muscle cars, tinkering with electronics, decorating for the holidays (Halloween was his favorite) and hosting spring/summer barbeques with good friends where he loved to man his grill. Joe had an appreciation for a wide variety of music, particularly metal, classic rock and the blues. He had a particularly huge spot in his heart for all wildlife. The biggest spot, however, was for his precious dogs, a.k.a. "the kids": Libby, 9, his "Pretty Little Princess; Benny, 17, his "rough & tumble little buddy guy", his little "polar bear teddy bear" who would snuggle up with him each night; and Otis, 7, "Otis is my bro-tus", all of whom miss him terribly.
Joe is predeceased by his parents, Henry and Violet Deucznewski, and stepbrother, David Gaines. Joe is survived by his partner of 37 years, April Dafgard; his stepsister, Cheryl Shull, her husband, KG and their daughter, Joe's niece, Sierra; stepbrother Steele Gaines and his son, Steele; his sister, Kathy Ruela, and her children, niece Angellica Geci and her husband, Alex; and nephew, Zackery Ruela.
We will have Joe's Celebration of Life on Saturday, June 14, 2025, 1:00pm – 4pm, in the community room at Peter Cooper Village located at 200 Forest St., West Long Branch, NJ 07764. For condolences please visit www.fiorefuneralhomes.com.