Joseph Celeste, Sr.

Joseph Celeste Sr, passed away peacefully on February 16, 2025 at 98 years old with his wife of over 70 years by his side.  Joseph was born in Newark, NJ and was a long time resident of Clark, NJ and Easton, PA. He attended St. Agnes Church in Clark and St. Mark’s Church in Rahway until moving out of the area.

He was drafted during World War II at only 18 years old and served for several years in the Philippines. His focus was the communication systems for the American Forces in the area. After the war, he spent some time as a real estate agent.  As new electronic items began to be created like TV and stereos, Joseph launched his own business Short Hills TV based in Maplewood, NJ. When the “latest and greatest” electronic items came to market, Joseph was ready to service all of them.  As his business grew, he moved to a custom built building also in Maplewood, NJ and renamed the company JC Electronics and retired in 1985.

Joseph was predeceased by his parents, John and Adaline (Cicenia) Celeste and four of his siblings, Madeline Celeste, Michael Celeste, Florence Macera and Helen Racano.

Surviving are his devoted wife, Columbia (Lardiere) Celeste, his loving children, Karen and her husband Patrick Ruby, Joseph Jr and his wife Mary, Diana and her husband Joseph Sznaza and Mark and his wife Loreen.  He is also survived by 7 grandchildren, Jennifer (Ruby) and her husband Joseph Losco, Patricia (Ruby) and her husband William Bachmann, Kristen (Ruby) and her husband Donald Cervellini, Kathryn (Ruby) and her husband Tyler Tresslar, Olivia Sznaza, Joseph Sznaza and Chelsea Sznaza.  In addition, Joseph’s long life provided him the great honor of 8 great-grandchildren - Dylan and Alyssa Losco, Emma and Wyatt Bachmann, Clayton Cervellini and Jack, Ian and Layne Tresslar. He is also survived by his sister Theresa Band.