Joseph John Miele

The Rev. Fr. Joseph John Miele died on Thursday, October 13, 2022 at Ocean County Medical Center, Brick, NJ – he was 97 years old. Father Joe was born August 15, 1925 in Howard Hospital, South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to John Anthony Miele & Anna Irene Passalacqua Miele. Having been raised in West Philadelphia, he attended Our Lady of the Rosary Grammar School and West Philadelphia Catholic High School for Boys graduating in 1943.
A US Navy veteran he enlisted October 18, 1943 and received his basic training at the Sampson Naval Training Station, Sampson, NY. He attended the Wentworth Institute, Boston Massachusetts and trained as an engineer ultimately being assigned to the heavy cruiser USS Augusta CA31, being stationed in its generator room as an electrician's mate. During Father Joe's enlistment the USS Augusta served as an Atlantic Fleet flagship in the Normandy Invasion, the Invasion of Southern France and transported President Harry S. Truman to the Potsdam Conference.
Following his honorable discharge on May 20, 1946, Father Joe attended LaSalle College, Philadelphia graduating with a BS in Accounting in 1949; he entered Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Overbrook, PA and transferred to Our Lady of the Angels Seminary, Niagara University, Niagara, NY.
Father Joe was ordained a priest for service to the Diocese of Trenton on May 26, 1956 by the Most Rev. George W. Ahr in Saint Anthony of Padua Church, Trenton (due to the cathedral having been destroyed by fire two months earlier) and was assigned as associate pastor to Saint Ann Parish, Raritan; Saint Joachim Parish, Trenton; Saint Mary of Mount Virgin Parish, New Brunswick; Saint Mary of the Assumption Parish, Deal and Saint Joseph Parish, North Plainfield. In 1971 Bishop Ahr sent Father Joe to Fordham University, Bronx NY where he successfully obtained a Master's Degree in Religious Education.
Upon receipt of his degree Father Joe was assigned to form and serve as founding pastor of Saint Anselm of Canterbury Parish, Wayside; following that assignment he became pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Seaside Heights and pastor of Saint Anthony of Padua, Red Bank where he retired on January 15, 1999.
Since his retirement Father Joe has assisted at Our Lady of Peace Parish, Normandy Beach; Saint Veronica Parish, Howell; Saint Bonaventure Parish, Lavallette; Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Seaside and most recently has assisted at Saint Denis Parish, Manasquan and Saint Catharine Parish, Holmdel. He served on the Second Vatican Council Liturgical Committee of the Diocese of Trenton.
In addition to his parents, Father Joe is predeceased by his brother; Nicholas Miele. He is survived by his cousins; Jo-Ann, Linda, Joseph, Judith, Anthony. John and adopted Foley Family their children and their families.
Father Joe will be received into the Church of Saint Denis, 90 Union Avenue, Manasquan, NJ 08736, at 4:30 pm on Friday, October 21, 2022. Clergy, parishioners and friends are invited to call from 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm. A Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 7:00 pm. Rite of Committal and Entombment will occur in Saint Catharine Resurrection Mausoleum, 1100 West Chicago Blvd., Sea Girt, NJ 08750, at 11 am the following morning. In lieu of flowers you may donate to Veterans of Foreign Wars online at heroes.vfw.org or by mail at VFW Processing Center, PO Box 2002, Milford, NH 03055-2002. Arrangements are under the care of Orender Family Home for Funerals, Manasquan. To send condolences please visit www.orenderfamilyhome.net.