Joseph Emil Heitzman

Joseph Heitzman of Pompton Plains peacefully passed away in his home on March 21, 2023 at the age of 91. He was the son of Joseph and Josephine Heitzman of Paterson. He fondly spoke of growing up with his extended family in Paterson and attending their catholic grammar and high schools.

Joe went on to earn a teaching degree from Paterson State Teachers College in 1954. He then enlisted in the Army and served his country in France, working in the communications center. During his service, he taught GED classes to enlisted men who had not graduated high school. He saved his money and bought the love of his life, Ruth, her engagement diamond in Amsterdam. Upon his discharge, he proposed to Ruth and they married in 1957.  They shared 64 years of marriage; building a life and family filled with joy and compassion.

Joe began his teaching career in the Business Education department at Eastside High School in Paterson. While teaching, he earned his Master of Business Administration from Seton Hall. In 1963 he became the President of the Paterson Education Association. Using his finance knowledge from Seton Hall, he worked to establish a fair and equitable salary guide for Paterson teachers and to have medical benefits become part of teachers’ contracts. Joe shifted from teaching to administration becoming the Director of Funded Programs in Paterson.

Joe was a devoted father to his only child, Elizabeth. He relished his time with his grandchildren, Joe and Katie. He shared his love of Wildwood with his grandchildren, taking them on yearly trips during their childhoods. He created so many amazing memories at the beach building sandcastles and on the boardwalk riding “choppers,” and playing skeeball. He was always ready to take a day trip or attend any of their games and activities.

Some of his happiest times were spent at his home in Saddle Brook, where he gardened, read, watched the Mets, and planned amazing trips for his family.

Joe and Ruth enjoyed years of traveling the world and educating themselves about the places and people they met. Early in their marriage they drove cross country in a car with no air conditioning and toured Europe on five dollars a day. After retiring, some of his favorite trips were to Alaska, Poland, Budapest, Ireland, the Panama Canal, and European river cruises. He absolutely loved his yearly winter cruises in the Caribbean to escape the cold New Jersey winter. Give Joe a beach chair, a book, some sun and he was content. They enjoyed exploring the world and laughing about the mishaps of their travels. Much to his wife’s surprise, later in life they took dancing lessons and enjoyed dancing to the big band music of their youth.

Joe was a devout Catholic who rarely missed Sunday mass. He was a parishioner of St. Philip the Apostle Parish in Saddle Brook from 1959 until 2013, when he moved to Cedar Crest in Pompton Plains. Joe and Ruth quickly found spiritual homes at the Cedar Crest Chapel and Our Lady of Good Counsel in Pompton Plains.

Joe is predeceased by his wife, Ruth. Loving father of Elizabeth Sponenburg and her husband, Jeff, of Wayne, NJ. Cherished grandfather of Joseph and Kathryn Sponenburg of Wayne. Beloved brother of Charles Heitzman and Emil Heitzman and predeceased by his sister, Carolyn Pacca. Brother-in-law of Janice Glock and dear godfather to Helen Hallberg. He will be missed by many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends whose lives he touched over the years.