Joseph Trpik

Joseph Richard Trpik of Conway, South Carolina, passed away in Aruba on October 14, 2025, at the age of 87. 

Joe was born on March 10, 1938, in Endicott, New York, to Julia Stulir Trpik and Joseph Francis Trpik, proud of his rich Czechoslovakian heritage. Joe was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother; a devoted friend; a man of faith; a great chef and a saxophonist and clarinetist, who could play a mean polka then turn around and play a “Czardas” that tugged at your heart strings. He was an amateur comedian, failed golfer, and long-suffering New York Giants and Florida State Seminoles fan. 

After graduating from Union-Endicott High School in 1956, Joe began his career with International Business Machines (IBM) as a typewriter and clock mechanic. His ingenuity, talent, and drive were quickly recognized, and IBM sponsored his continued education. He went on to earn both a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration from Pace University in 1973. 

Joe built a long and successful 31-year career with IBM, rising through the ranks of field service management. After retiring from IBM, he continued to share his expertise as Executive Director of the Association of Field Service Management International (AFSMI) and also as a consultant, advising companies on service operations and management—always with the same energy, humor, and dedication that defined his professional life. Joe was president of his homeowner's association and an avid volunteer in his community.

Joe’s greatest joy was his family. Above all, he cherished his wife of 37 years, Mary Jane, with whom he shared a wonderful life filled with love, laughter, travel, good food, and dear friends. Together, they embraced a large and loving blended family that included six children, twelve grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter. Joe is survived by his loving wife, Mary Jane McMenamy Trpik; his children Kim and husband Ray Christian, Jacqueline and husband Kevin Petrie, Jo-Anne and husband Rich Catlin, Joseph and wife JaCee Trpik; his grandchildren Kevin, Raymond, Kelly and husband Jeff, Matt and wife Hannah, Samantha, Carter and wife Holly, Carson, Joey; his great-granddaughter, Kaia; his stepchildren Joe and wife Lisa Milano, Mike and wife Lisa Milano; his step-grandchildren Kat and husband Ben, Missy, Reganne and Ava; his sister Natalie and husband Duane Rinker. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Julia and Joseph Trpik. 

Known affectionately as “Sonny,” “Mr. T,” and “Big Joe,” he was larger than life—a man who made everyone he met feel welcome and part of the family. Walk into any Trpik household, and you are instantly family—that is his legacy.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 26, 2025, from 3:00PM – 7:00PM at the Morrison Etheridge Funeral Home, 86 Bartholdi Avenue, Butler, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, October 27, 2025, at 11:00AM, at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 65 Bartholdi Avenue, Butler, N.J., with burial to follow at George Washington Memorial Park, 234 Paramus Road, Paramus, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made in Joe’s honor to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or a charity of your choice.