Joseph Patrick Wuensch Sr.

Retired as NYPD's Chief of Staff, outdoorsman, loving family man Joseph Patrick Wuensch Sr., passed away on November 13th, 2022, at the age of 80. He was born and raised in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, with his parents and siblings. Joseph is predeceased by his father, Joseph; his mother, Marion, and his sister, Carolyn. He is survived by his wife, Sara (nee Ennis) of 59 years; his son, Joseph Jr.; his daughter, Elizabeth Halaby and her husband Jack; his sister, Patricia and brother, Thomas. Joseph prided himself on being a family man. He was a dedicated husband and father who was known as PopPop to his precious granddaughters, Kelsey, Victoria, Gabrielle, Samantha, Grace, and Catherine. Joseph graduated from Brooklyn Prep High School. He went on to college, and received a B.A. in Economics from Fordham University. The next phase of his life included his extraordinary career, where Joseph worked for 58 years for the city of New York. He started in the New York City Department of Social Services. He then became the Assistant Budget Director for the Mayor's office. In 1987, he was sworn in as the Deputy Commissioner of Management and Budget for the New York City Police Department, and subsequently as the NYPD's Chief of Staff, until his retirement in 2014. For many years, he was known throughout Staten Island as a premier softball pitcher, most especially for his crafty knuckle ball. He played for the Granite Athletic Club as a part of Staten Island's ASA Major Modified Fast Pitch Division. He competed in several national tournaments, and earned First Team All American Honors in 1979. It was an ongoing inside joke that he actually had two full time jobs, one as a softball player and the other with the police department, because of his unyielding passion for the sport. He was an avid sportsman overall, and loved his Yankees. He was also an active member of the NYPD's Holy Name Society, and Emerald Society. Not even retirement could slow Joseph down, for he was always in perpetual motion. He spent a great deal of time with family and friends at his lake house in Culver Lake, making terrific memories. He enjoyed his motorboat, water sports, and sailing on the Catamaran. He took such pride in his home and boat. Joseph doted on his wife, among many sweet gestures, he would bring her a cup of tea every morning: She was his constant steady. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made at www.answerthecall.org, a cause close to Joseph's heart. Family and friends will be received at the Martin Hughes Funeral Home, 530 Narrows Road S in Concord, on Tuesday, November 15th from 7:00-9:00 PM, and Wednesday, November 16th from 2:00-4:00 PM and 7:00-9:00 PM. A Mass will be held for Joseph at Our Lady of Angels Church on Thursday, November 17th, followed by the committal at the Cemetery of the Resurrection. Martin Hughes Funeral Home 530 Narrows Road Staten Island, NY 10304 (718) 447-0873