Joseph P. "Jody" Vaccarella Jr.

Joseph "Jody" Vaccarella Jr., 73 of Manchester Township, formerly of Aberdeen, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday April 16, 2025.
He was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey to the late Joseph P. Vaccarella Sr. and Grace Frances (Jones) Vaccarella.
Joseph, affectionately known by many as "Jody", was a high school graduate from Matawan High School class of 1970, he owned Jody's Tavern (formerly Al's bar near Matawan train station) and created a successful family business, Jody Vaccarella Lawn Maintenance of Aberdeen. Jody LOVED the snow and was known by many as the "Snow King". He loved MAC Trucks and driving the "dump truck". For many years Jody enjoyed watching his grandkids perform in the AHS Redbird Marching Band. He never missed a performance & he was the bands biggest fan!
Jody was the Ex-Fire Chief and Lifetime Member of M.E. Haley Hose Company No. 1 (District 29). Jody and his father were the last Father/Son Chiefs from M.E. Haley Hose. He was also Lifetime Member of the Matawan Italian American Club.
He was also a member of the Allentown Presbyterian Church.
Jody loved football, the NY Giants and volunteered many years as a coach for Matawan Huskies Pop Warner while his nephew's played.
Jody loved to spend time with his family. His kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews were everything to him. He loved when we all got together for the holidays and family gatherings. Jody loved traveling with Cathy & loved food especially hot dogs! Jody also loved his friends & his neighbors and enjoyed the time they spent together.
He is survived by his high school sweetheart & beloved wife of 51 years Cathy (Watson) Vaccarella; his pup Petey; his loving children Amanda of Hazlet; Annie and her husband Kenny of Cream Ridge; his cherished Grandchildren, Sofia and Monica; Jackson and Emma ; his nieces Kim & husband Ralph, Jill & husband Gary Foti, nephews Tom & wife Brenda Eosso, Gary & wife Debbie Eosso, Anthony & wife Tammy Eosso, and Joseph Sakowski. Godson Paul Mazzoni and many grand nieces and nephews (and their children) that he loved so much!
We thank all the doctors and nurses that took such good care of him especially his dialysis nurses at DaVita in Jackson.
Friends and relatives are invited to a visitation for Joseph on Monday April 21, 2025 from 2-4PM and 7-9PM at Day Funeral Home 361 Maple Place Keyport, New Jersey 07735 and again Tuesday April 22, 2025 9:30AM at the funeral home for a 10:00AM Funeral Service at the funeral home.
Following services, Joseph will be privately cremated.
In lieu of flowers: Donations can be made in Jody's memory to M.E. Haley Hose 4 Cross Road Matawan NJ 07747 To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Joseph "Jody", please visit our Tree Store.