Joseph Raymond Okuszka

Joseph Okuszka Obituary
Joseph "Joe" Raymond Okuszka entered into eternal life on June 2nd, 2024 at the age of 89 while surrounded by his loving family at home. He was the beloved husband of Victoria (née Mazurczak) for nearly 67 years and the devoted father of Linda Hart (Robert), Joanne Prascsak (Wayne), Joseph Okuszka (Nicole), Douglas Okuszka (Theresa), and Nancy Vasquez (Juan). Affectionately known as "Grandad," he was cherished and deeply loved by his ten grandchildren: Michelle (Zachary), Jeffrey (Jenae), Julie (Daniel), Jenna, Amanda, Melanie, Jasmin, Grace, Danielle, and Melanie. He was blessed to have known his four great-grandchildren: Sierra, Brooke, Daniel, and Avery. He was the dear uncle of many nephews, nieces, grandnephews, and grandnieces. Moreover, he was treasured by his many cousins. He was predeceased by his only sibling, his sister, Marianne Penszynski, in 2004. He was born on September 1, 1934 and grew up in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York. Joe and Victoria moved to Long Branch, New Jersey in 1962 to raise their growing family.
Joe enlisted in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955, working as a secretary, stenographer, and typist for the officers overseas in Europe. Until 2011, he was active in the Disabled American Veterans chapter at Fort Monmouth. He had many jobs throughout the course of his life, but most notably was his favorite occupation as the chief wastewater treatment plant operator for Gateway National Recreation Area at Sandy Hook. It was a career that fit him well, as he loved nature and being in the great outdoors, especially the waters surrounding the Sandy Hook Bay Area. He enjoyed biking, boating, camping, and crabbing, especially with his dear brother-in-law Charlie Penszynski along the Jersey Shore, Navesink and Shrewsbury Rivers, and Assateague Island. At home, he was typically found birdwatching, listening to the radio, reading his magazines and newspapers in his chair on the back porch, and tending to his swimming pool. An inventor at heart, he was always carrying around his tools, tinkering with things, sitting at his workbench, and searching for unique ways to make life a little easier. Nothing went to waste; he saved every item that he thought would be of use to one of his inventions! One of his most prized possessions was his 1936 Ford, which he frequently worked on in his backyard garage to make it presentable for local antique car shows at the old Sitting Duck Restaurant.
As a person, Joe was the most good-natured man anyone could ever meet. He acted like the mayor of all the local supermarkets spreading cheer to employees and shoppers-while Vicki went searching for him. He had the uncanny ability to befriend strangers and lighten the mood of those around him. He had the best sense of humor and was quite the comedian and jokester. On vacations, during family dinners, and particularly at weddings, he loved to sing for an audience, especially his favorite songs, "Unforgettable," by Nat King Cole and "Flamingo," by Duke Ellington. He and Vicki loved to travel. They visited England, several European countries (including their ancestral Poland), and went on many cruises with their friends and relatives. His favorite place to be gathered with family was a longtime vacationing spot in the Poconos, as he also loved hiking in the mountains with his children and grandchildren. While he was truly an adventurer, he was most comfortable at home with his family. Faith was central to Joe's life. He was a devout Roman Catholic. He was a member of Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Long Branch, where he was a collector and usher for the 4:00 Mass. He was deeply devoted to his Savior, and he longed for the day he would meet Jesus in heaven.
Family and Friends will be received for visitation at Damiano Funeral Home on Thursday, June 6th, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church on Friday, June 7th at 10:30 AM. Interment will follow at Mount Carmel Cemetery on Wall Street in West Long Branch. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island NY 10306 Web: https://tunnel2towers.org/ or The Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka KS 66675-8517 Web: https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/default.aspx?tsid=10043&ovr_acv_id=4320. The family invites you to leave a letter of condolence by selecting the Tribute/Guestbook link above.
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