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March 28, 2014
Services
A Memorial Mass will be offered at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 17 Pompton Ave., Pompton Lakes on Saturday, April 12, 2014, at 1:30 pm.
Joseph Para, age 94, entered eternal rest Friday, March 28, 2014.
Born in Passaic on November 19, 1919 Joe was raised during the depression by his mother Agnes Wodziak-Para and stepfather Michael Peskin whom he called “Pop.” Joey had many boyhood adventures with his older brother, Andrew. He told many stories of hawking newspapers on street corners and sneaking into movies. He became a lifelong fan of the movies and the “funny papers.” He looked up to Andrew, who was 5 years older and often charged with looking after him. Joey loved his dog, Blackie, who would follow him around the city of Passaic. He had especially nice memories of summer trips to visit his “Pennsy” cousins. While in high school, Joe joined the Midshipmen’s Club, played basketball, and attended many dances. At a Midshipmen’s reunion, many years later, his friends told of his amazing 3 point shot at the buzzer to win a championship. His good pal, Johnny Wojiciki, taught him how to dance, so he was a hit with all the girls.
He left high school after recovering from a broken collar bone at age 15 and decided to contribute to the family’s sparse income by working for Arrow Clothing in Passaic. With the onset of WWII, he got a job at Picatinny Arsenal. He served in the United States Air Force during WWII in the Pacific and often shared happy memories of the times he spent in training, traveling, and on leave. He often said that some of the best times of his life were spent out of only two barrack’s bags. He was discharged on October 23, 1945 and received the Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, and the Philippines Liberation Ribbon.
Returning to Passaic, he married Julia Zak on September 28, 1946. After a honeymoon in Washington D.C., they moved in with Julia’s mother because rooms were very hard to find after the war. Joe secured employment as a chemical operator at Givaudan in Clifton and, in 1955, purchased a home in West Paterson. In 1960, they had their only child, Ruth. They were doting parents who never wanted to have a babysitter and took Ruth with them wherever they went. Julia’s untimely passing in 1967 was a sad time, but Joe was determined to raise his daughter himself. He had much support from his brother and his wife Mary, his sister-in-law Angela and her husband Bill Stock and many more family members and friends.
Joe didn’t require much to make him happy and valued most the vacations spent at home and at Third-Ward Park in Passaic. Famous in the neighborhood for his vegetable garden, he supplied everyone with its over abundant crop. Summer evenings were spent on the front stoop with an ice-cream soda or playing basketball with the neighborhood boys. Winters were never a challenge; he would put chains on the tires of his 1951 Plymouth just to go for the newspaper. Many happy vacations were spent at the Stock family farm in Pennsylvania, at the shore in Wildwood, and a memorable trip to Florida in 1971.
Joe was very proud of being promoted to Chemical Foreman at Givaudan and made many good friends there. He met Judy Fletcher at a Givaudan Christmas party, and they were an item for many years, frequenting the French Hill Inn, Ice World watching the fights and of course, the movies. During the 1970’s, Joe could also be found at Passaic Valley High School basketball games and driving around a car full of giggling girls. Judy’s passing, in 1981, was devastating for him, but he kept in touch with her family and had a special affection for her dad, Tom Fletcher.
In 1983, Joe’s daughter, Ruth, married Gary Pasquariello, and he took great pride in throwing a big wedding. Ever generous, he moved to an apartment across town to allow the newlyweds the benefit of his house. He retired from Givaudan in 1984 and promptly became a member of the Givaudan Retirees Club to keep in touch with his old pals. In 1987, he was blessed with his first grandchild, Michael Joseph. He said, at the time, that this was his greatest joy. “Everyone should get to be everything, a son/a daughter, a father/a mother, and a grandparent. That was everything.” A granddaughter, Jessica, arrived in 1988, and he felt his life was complete. A devoted grandpa, he was always on hand to babysit and chauffer them around. He never missed a soccer game or dance recital. Joe was reluctant to begin dating again and decided to “grow old gracefully and enjoy my grandchildren.”
A voracious reader, he was often found at the Little Falls Public Library where he caught the eye of Emily Andrascik. They shared almost 25 years; spending their time with quiet evenings at her apartment, out to dinner, at the movies, and the theater. They could also be found most Saturday nights polka dancing at Bay Way Polish Home in Elizabeth. They shared many holidays and special events with both families. He felt privileged to be part of the Andrascik family.
Facing health challenges, Emily moved to Classic Residence in Teaneck and Joe moved to Siena Village in Wayne. Joe was well liked at Siena Village, known as “Singing Joe,” singing and whistling his way through the halls on his daily walks. He spent his later years watching all the ‘oldies’ that he loved on TCM and spending happy times with his family. He quoted Mickey Mantle at his 90th birthday party, “If I knew I’d live this long, I would have taken better care of myself.” He felt blessed to live long enough to see his grandchildren grow into adults.
Although he and Emily weren’t together as often, they spoke every night right after Jeopardy. This past July, Joe was able to attend Emily’s 97th birthday party. Sadly, his dear friend predeceased him by only a few weeks.
Joe Para was loved and respected by everyone who knew him. He cherished all the friends he made during his lifetime. Joe will be remembered as a true gentleman and for his eternally positive outlook. He didn’t talk about himself much, but was always more interested in what was happening in the lives of those around him. He was a role model for his family and a generous loving father and grandfather.
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
A Memorial Mass will be offered at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 17 Pompton Ave., Pompton Lakes on Saturday, April 12, 2014, at 1:30 pm.
March 28, 2014
Services
A Memorial Mass will be offered at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 17 Pompton Ave., Pompton Lakes on Saturday, April 12, 2014, at 1:30 pm.
Joseph Para, age 94, entered eternal rest Friday, March 28, 2014.
Born in Passaic on November 19, 1919 Joe was raised during the depression by his mother Agnes Wodziak-Para and stepfather Michael Peskin whom he called “Pop.” Joey had many boyhood adventures with his older brother, Andrew. He told many stories of hawking newspapers on street corners and sneaking into movies. He became a lifelong fan of the movies and the “funny papers.” He looked up to Andrew, who was 5 years older and often charged with looking after him. Joey loved his dog, Blackie, who would follow him around the city of Passaic. He had especially nice memories of summer trips to visit his “Pennsy” cousins. While in high school, Joe joined the Midshipmen’s Club, played basketball, and attended many dances. At a Midshipmen’s reunion, many years later, his friends told of his amazing 3 point shot at the buzzer to win a championship. His good pal, Johnny Wojiciki, taught him how to dance, so he was a hit with all the girls.
He left high school after recovering from a broken collar bone at age 15 and decided to contribute to the family’s sparse income by working for Arrow Clothing in Passaic. With the onset of WWII, he got a job at Picatinny Arsenal. He served in the United States Air Force during WWII in the Pacific and often shared happy memories of the times he spent in training, traveling, and on leave. He often said that some of the best times of his life were spent out of only two barrack’s bags. He was discharged on October 23, 1945 and received the Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, and the Philippines Liberation Ribbon.
Returning to Passaic, he married Julia Zak on September 28, 1946. After a honeymoon in Washington D.C., they moved in with Julia’s mother because rooms were very hard to find after the war. Joe secured employment as a chemical operator at Givaudan in Clifton and, in 1955, purchased a home in West Paterson. In 1960, they had their only child, Ruth. They were doting parents who never wanted to have a babysitter and took Ruth with them wherever they went. Julia’s untimely passing in 1967 was a sad time, but Joe was determined to raise his daughter himself. He had much support from his brother and his wife Mary, his sister-in-law Angela and her husband Bill Stock and many more family members and friends.
Joe didn’t require much to make him happy and valued most the vacations spent at home and at Third-Ward Park in Passaic. Famous in the neighborhood for his vegetable garden, he supplied everyone with its over abundant crop. Summer evenings were spent on the front stoop with an ice-cream soda or playing basketball with the neighborhood boys. Winters were never a challenge; he would put chains on the tires of his 1951 Plymouth just to go for the newspaper. Many happy vacations were spent at the Stock family farm in Pennsylvania, at the shore in Wildwood, and a memorable trip to Florida in 1971.
Joe was very proud of being promoted to Chemical Foreman at Givaudan and made many good friends there. He met Judy Fletcher at a Givaudan Christmas party, and they were an item for many years, frequenting the French Hill Inn, Ice World watching the fights and of course, the movies. During the 1970’s, Joe could also be found at Passaic Valley High School basketball games and driving around a car full of giggling girls. Judy’s passing, in 1981, was devastating for him, but he kept in touch with her family and had a special affection for her dad, Tom Fletcher.
In 1983, Joe’s daughter, Ruth, married Gary Pasquariello, and he took great pride in throwing a big wedding. Ever generous, he moved to an apartment across town to allow the newlyweds the benefit of his house. He retired from Givaudan in 1984 and promptly became a member of the Givaudan Retirees Club to keep in touch with his old pals. In 1987, he was blessed with his first grandchild, Michael Joseph. He said, at the time, that this was his greatest joy. “Everyone should get to be everything, a son/a daughter, a father/a mother, and a grandparent. That was everything.” A granddaughter, Jessica, arrived in 1988, and he felt his life was complete. A devoted grandpa, he was always on hand to babysit and chauffer them around. He never missed a soccer game or dance recital. Joe was reluctant to begin dating again and decided to “grow old gracefully and enjoy my grandchildren.”
A voracious reader, he was often found at the Little Falls Public Library where he caught the eye of Emily Andrascik. They shared almost 25 years; spending their time with quiet evenings at her apartment, out to dinner, at the movies, and the theater. They could also be found most Saturday nights polka dancing at Bay Way Polish Home in Elizabeth. They shared many holidays and special events with both families. He felt privileged to be part of the Andrascik family.
Facing health challenges, Emily moved to Classic Residence in Teaneck and Joe moved to Siena Village in Wayne. Joe was well liked at Siena Village, known as “Singing Joe,” singing and whistling his way through the halls on his daily walks. He spent his later years watching all the ‘oldies’ that he loved on TCM and spending happy times with his family. He quoted Mickey Mantle at his 90th birthday party, “If I knew I’d live this long, I would have taken better care of myself.” He felt blessed to live long enough to see his grandchildren grow into adults.
Although he and Emily weren’t together as often, they spoke every night right after Jeopardy. This past July, Joe was able to attend Emily’s 97th birthday party. Sadly, his dear friend predeceased him by only a few weeks.
Joe Para was loved and respected by everyone who knew him. He cherished all the friends he made during his lifetime. Joe will be remembered as a true gentleman and for his eternally positive outlook. He didn’t talk about himself much, but was always more interested in what was happening in the lives of those around him. He was a role model for his family and a generous loving father and grandfather.
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