Joseph Gilmore

Joseph Gilmore, age 84, and a longtime resident of Wayne, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 5, 2025.

Joe was the firstborn of Joseph and Mary Gilmore’s two children. He grew up in the family home at 135 Jasper Street, in Paterson, and graduated from Paterson Central High School with the Class of 1958.

After high school, one of Joe’s first jobs was an offset printer and foreman for Program Printing and Advertising Company, in Fairfield. It was 1967, and at that print shop, Joe’s life would change forever. There, he met a young woman named Betty Vanden Bosch. Joe affectionately nicknamed her “Smocks” because she always wore a smock to protect her clothes from ink. He was smitten from the start, and after just a few months of dating, he proposed to her at the top of Hunter Mountain, New York, in May of 1967. They were married on January 20, 1968, and honeymooned in Mount Snow, Vermont—although the sub-zero temperatures quickly taught them to choose warmer destinations for future getaways. In the decades that followed, Joe and Betty shared a loving and joyful marriage filled with travel, partnership, and deep devotion. Joe often said the best response to any of Betty’s requests—especially for a Diet Coke—was a heartfelt, “Yes, dear.”

Joe and Betty initially made their home in Wayne, later moving to Cliffwood Lake for five years. In 1976, they returned to Wayne, where they remained for the rest of their lives.

Together, Joe and Betty owned and operated Associated Diamond Products in Paterson from 1985 until 2009, taking over the business from Betty’s parents upon their retirement. After selling the company in 2009, Joe worked behind the deli counter at the former A&P in Pompton

Plains. When the store closed due to flooding, he joined Jack’s Foodtown in Wayne, serving customers with his usual friendly demeanor until he retired at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Joe’s greatest joy came from serving as a volunteer firefighter. He began his service in 1970 with the Hardyston Volunteer Fire Department. After moving back to Wayne, he joined Pompton Falls Volunteer Fire Department, Wayne Fire Company #3, on August 2, 1978. In 1981, he stepped into the role of assistant treasurer following the unexpected passing of the department’s treasurer—and he continued in that role for an incredible 36 years, retiring from the position in 2017. He also served as a trustee for many years. Among the many calls he answered, two fires stood out most vividly in his memory: a house fire on Alps Road and a fire in the Red Barn Furniture on Black Oak Ridge Road. Joe had a Philadelphia Flyers shirt that became well-known as the “bad luck” shirt as there seemed to be a working house fire every time he wore it. They took the shirt away from him. This calmed their concerns and made them happy because none of them were fans of the Flyers! When asked why he loved being a firefighter, Joe simply said, “It just felt so good giving back to the community that I called home.”

Joe was an avid racing fan with a lifelong love of cars. He followed NASCAR and IndyCar Series racing, cheering for drivers like AJ Foyt and most recently Kyle Larson. One of the highlights of his life was each time he attended the Indianapolis 500 with his father-in-law. He enjoyed watching the Barrett-Jackson collector car auctions on television and took considerable pride in his own cars, especially the 2002 convertible Chevy Corvette he and Betty loved to cruise around in. He was meticulous in caring for his cars and was often found outside cleaning them to a shine.

He also cherished music and was the proud owner of an extensive LP collection. It was common to find Joe listening to his records with headphones on, lost in his favorite tunes. He and Betty shared a deep love for animals and welcomed many beloved pets into their home throughout their 50 years together. Their dogs—Lovey, Rebel, Dee Dee, Max, Cutter, Tawney, Ember, and Dusty—were cherished companions, as were their cats Morris and Peanut, and even a bunny, Bunsker E. Bunny, who was rescued from a fire at the former Wayne Hills Mall. One especially memorable rescue was Sparky; a dog Joe saved from a fire and gave it to his parents.

Travel was another passion for Joe and Betty. They went on 33 cruises together, visiting destinations around the globe—from the Caribbean to Alaska, Vietnam, the Philippines, Bora Bora, Tahiti, and beyond. The world was their playground, and they made the most of every adventure.

Joe was a joy to be around. Always easygoing, he had a constant smile and never a harsh word for anyone. He let the little things roll off his back and never took life too seriously. He was a devoted husband, a loving father, a proud “Papa” to his grandchildren, and a true friend to many.

Joe was predeceased by his beloved wife, Betty, in May 2018. He is survived by his two children: Michael Gilmore of Winter Springs, FL, and Kimberley Rossi and her husband Michael of Wayne; and by his six grandchildren: Alexis, Amanda, and Anthony Rossi, of Wayne, and Benjamin, Katelyn, and Liam Gilmore, of Sussex.

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For those wishing to make a donation in Joe’s memory, please consider the Pompton Falls Volunteer Fire Company #3, 130 Jackson Ave., Wayne, NJ 07470, or click here to donate online.