Joseph Frank Zoppi Jr.

Joseph Frank Zoppi, Jr., 85 of East Hanover died at home the morning of August 15, 2025, surrounded by his family. Joe was a man of character, wisdom, faith, and integrity. A man who graciously and generously gave his love and support. He was truly, a man of God. A wonderful son, brother, devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend.

Joseph was born in Newark, New Jersey in 1940 to Joseph F. and Filomena (DelSordo) Zoppi, Sr. He grew up n Newark's 1st Ward in a traditional Italian American family. It was in Newark that Joseph met and married the love of his life, Dorothy (Bankey). Dorothy and Joseph were happily married for 61 years. Joseph was the proud father to his daughters, Lisa Ann and Dana Ann along with being the beloved Grandfather of Lisa Marie Fitzgerald and William Daniel Fitzgerald II.

Joseph graduated from Newark's Central High School and went on to have a rewarding career with ADT for 42 years. He owned and operated J&D Maintenance for over 25 years. He was a trustee at St. John's Church in Newark for over 25 years. He had a great passion for St. John's Church and held the first Italian Mass with, at the time, Father Di Marzo, now Bishop Di Marzo. He served as President of the Father John Foundation for the Handicapped and the Poor. He retired from this position in 2024. He enjoyed spending time helping the needy and in the later years worked with Father Bismark Chau to start a deaf camp for children. The Zoppi Deaf Camp. He was also a longtime supporter of St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

Joseph was preceded in death by his daughter, Lisa Ann, his parents Joseph F. and Filomena (DelSordo) Zoppi, Sr., his brother Victor and his wife Marie (Donahue) Zoppi and his brother Nicholas and his wife Elaine (Porcello) Zoppi. He is survived by his wife Dorothy Irene (Bankey), his daughter Dana Ann and husband Willaim D. Fitzgerald, grandson William D. Fitzgerald, II, granddaughter Lisa Marie Fitzgerald and her fiancé Nico Grillo, his sisters Dolores (Zoppi) and husband Daniel DiBernado, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and great friends.

Funeral services will begin 10:30AM Tuesday at Hancliffe Home for Funerals, 222 Ridgedale Avenue, East Hanover, NJ 07936 with a 11AM Mass at St Rose of Lima RC Church. Burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Visting hours are Monday 4-8PM.

Memorial donations to St. John's RC Church Soup Kitchen in Newark will be appreciated in lieu of flowers.