Joseph F. Cichalski, 79, passed away Aug. 2, 2023, after a fulfilling life. Born in New Brunswick, Joe grew up in South River. He was a graduate of South River High School Class of 1962 and earned a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame and a master’s degree from Kean University.
Joe began substitute teaching shortly after graduation and found his calling. Over the next 37 years he taught grades three through six, both as a regular classroom teacher and as a basic skills math specialist, where he was known as “Math Man” to his colleagues and students. Joe’s humor and patience served him well in his career. He loved his work and his students, and he retired from the Manalapan-Englishtown School District in 2006.
Joe’s passions can be summed up as: Family, Friends, Fishing and Football. He and his wife Joan settled in Little Silver and enjoyed 47 years there raising their two children. Joe served on the Little Silver Board of Education for 12 years and was a volunteer at the library for many years. He was also a frequent volunteer at Embury United Methodist Church, especially at their pie makes each fall.
Joe loved freshwater fishing in three favorite locations: Estling Lake in New Jersey, Cape Cod, and Maine. He kept a canoe in each of those places and was always ready to pack up his rods and head out on the peaceful waters at daybreak where he was frequently joined by his lifetime friend Steve Petruska, his brother Richard (“Chic”) or his brother-in-law John DelVecchio.
He loved watching college football and basketball, loyally cheering on his beloved Fighting Irish and ever hopeful of a national championship.
In recent years, his happiest moments were in the company of family, especially his two beloved grandchildren. Joe loved being “Poppy” and was always ready to read a book, sing or play.
Joe is survived by his wife of 51 years, Joan (DelVecchio) Cichalski; his son Dan (Casey Barber) of Clifton; daughter Jessica of Lawrenceville; grandchildren Maya and Luca Cichalski; brother Richard of Long Branch; and many close friends and cousins.
A Memorial Gathering will be held from 4-7 p.m. Aug. 14 at Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St., Red Bank. A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. Aug. 15 at Embury United Methodist Church, 49 Church St., Little Silver.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your local food bank.
The article originally appeared in the August 10 – 16, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
