Joseph M. Schweighart

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Joseph M. Schweighart, age 93 of Wayne NJ.

Joseph passed away peacefully on Monday, March 11, 2024.  He was born and raised in Passaic, NJ and was the older of two children.  Those who knew Joseph best came to know him simply as “Joe”.  Joe grew up in Northern New Jersey and graduated high school in 1948.  Not long after his high school graduation, Joe enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.  Serving in the United States military was something that Joe would often speak of and was extremely proud.  Following his honorable discharge from the US Marine Corps, Joe became a specialized police officer working closely with both the Paterson and Wayne Police Department.  His career as a specialized police officer spanned a period of over 25 years.  

Concurrent with his career as a police officer, Joe was also employed as an engineer for a number of various local industrial companies.  Despite lacking a formal degree beyond high school, Joe possessed a remarkable knack for all things mechanical. He seemed to have an intuitive understanding of gears and circuits, a talent that quickly caught the eye of local companies in need of engineering expertise.  Joe proved himself time and again, earning a reputation as the go-to engineer for troubleshooting and repairing machinery. His unconventional path to becoming an engineer only added to his colleague’s respect in his ability to solve complex problems with a simple, hands-on approach. Joe's story served as a reminder that true expertise isn't always measured by diplomas, but by the ingenuity and dedication one brings to the task at hand.

Joe married as a young man and had three children.  Unfortunately, Joe’s first marriage ended in divorce.  Eventually Joe found solace and renewed love in the embrace of a second chance at happiness through remarriage.  In the late 1970’s Joe was introduced to an attractive woman named Pamela Sturgis.  Pamela’s mom was widowed and occasionally needed help with home maintenance and repairs. Joe was her mom’s handyman and sometimes he was there when Pam came to visit. As a result, Pam and Joe got to know each other.  They hit it off great and started dating.  As fate would have it, they fell in love and on Friday May 2, 1980 they became husband and wife by the Mayor of Wayne.  Pam and Joe settled on Dubel Road in Wayne where they enjoyed each other’s love and friendship for almost thirty-six years of marriage until Pam’s passing in February of 2016.

Joe was an avid pistol marksman and was a member of the Riverdale Pistol Club in Riverdale for many years.  In his later years he enjoyed building birdhouses of all types and all sizes.  He was an avid birdwatcher and raising honeybees.  He immersed himself in the art of woodworking.  But Joe's talents extended far beyond the realm of woodworking; he was a virtuoso of repair, able to diagnose and mend any broken machinery or household item that crossed his path.  He would often be found helping his neighbors with their repairs and maintenance.  

Joe had an unconventional way of showing his affection; rather than offering compliments or kind gestures, he teased and poked fun at those he held in high regard. His playful jabs and witty banter were his way of breaking down barriers and forging connections with others. While some may have misunderstood his approach as abrasive or unkind, those who knew him best recognized it as a sign of his genuine fondness and respect. 

Shortly after his wife Pam’s passing, Joe began attending bereavement support groups.  There he met a truly special friend, Colleen Woods, who had recently lost her son.  When he first met Colleen, Joe told her that she would never come back.  Colleen in fact did come back the next week and when she arrived, she brought a small stone with some affectionate writing on it.  This prompted a special friendship and tradition of exchanging small stones.  One week, Joe as a tease, brought a five-pound bag of river stones to Colleen!  

Joe will forever be remembered as a kind and generous man who loved spending time with those he loved.  He was a truly special person who touched the lives of everyone around him and will be sincerely missed.

Joe is survived by his three children, His brother Donald Schweighart, his dear friend Colleen Woods and her husband David Hornlein of New Milford, NJ, and his confidant Cynthia Murphy of West Milford, NJ.  He was predeceased by his wife of thirty six years Pamela Schweighart in 2016.      

I love you,

Colleen