Joseph L Ulrich

Joseph L. Ulrich, of Cresskill, New Jersey, passed away on October 31, 2025, in a tragic accident while doing what he loved: taking care of trees.
"Jersey Joe" was born on November 4th, 1960 and raised in Closter, N.J., where he graduated from Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest in 1979. A man of many talents and interests, he graduated with his bachelor's degree in Marketing from Villanova University in 1984 and later attended Western States Chiropractic College in Portland, Oregon, before returning to his true passion: trees. He founded Palisades Tree Service in 1990 and cared for trees in his community for thirty-five years as the business' owner and operator. Joe was a New Jersey Licensed Tree Expert and an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist.
Joe met his wife, Loreen, while working in her parents' backyard in Northvale, N.J., in 1986, and they married in 1990. Earlier this year, they celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary with a champagne toast at the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Together, they raised two talented children, Morgan, 27, and Devon, 25. Joe was preceded in death by his brother Christopher, nephew Steven, and his parents, Patrick and Elizabeth Ulrich, and is survived by his loving wife, children, siblings Patricia, Peter, and Anne-Marie, in-laws Kevin, Parmelie, and Robert, and niece and nephews Ashley, Bill, and Thomas.
A generous man with a kind heart, Joe was beloved by his community for always lending a hand and sharing his ideas in thoughtful conversations. He brought his extensive knowledge and passion for trees to the Dumont Shade Tree Commission, where he was an active member and seminar speaker for nineteen years. He was also an Executive Board Member on the Cresskill Environmental Commission since February 2020. Joe was also an avid lover of music, from Bach to Bob Dylan, and he especially enjoyed listening to his children play flute and trumpet. Joe was an outdoorsman who enjoyed spending time in nature, and his early passions included rock and ice climbing in the Catskills and Adirondacks. He enjoyed traveling, especially annual trips to Marginal Way in Ogunquit, Maine.
A celebration of Joe's life will be held at Barrett Leber Funeral Home in Tenafly, N.J. on Sunday, November 16th, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The family requests that guests wear green to celebrate Joe's love of trees and nature.
A luncheon will follow for family and close friends by invitation only.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Friends of the Shade Tree for Joe's memorial at the Dumont Arboretum: https://fotst.org/product/joe-ulrich-memorial-fund/