Joseph “Joe” Hrunka, of Manchester, formerly of Middletown and Jersey City, peacefully passed away Sept. 5, 2026, from lung cancer. Born Oct. 18, 1954, in Jersey City, he lived a full and unforgettable life.
Joe met the love of his life, Evelyn “Evy” Garrison, in Jersey City when they were very young. They married in 1974 and spent the next 52 years together, building a life in Middletown, where they raised their five children.
At just 18 years old, Joe joined the United States Army and later continued his service in the Army Reserve, retiring as a sergeant at 60. After his first battle with lung cancer, the Army discovered what Joe had apparently neglected to mention: that he had been doing much of life with only one lung.
In civilian life, Joe worked for the United States Postal Service for 31 years as a mail handler.
Joe’s memory will live on not only through his family, but through the many passions and traditions that made him unmistakably Joe. He loved the water and the sun, fishing and drag netting in his cutoff jean shorts, and spending time outdoors. He had a particular talent for convincing his children to join him on adventures at the most unreasonable hours, like waking them in the middle of the night to go spotlight crabbing on the Navesink River before their mother woke up.
He loved driving, often for hours at a time, and was known to show up unexpectedly at the homes of family and friends who lived far away. He sang his wife’s name, “Evelyn Garrison,” over and over again, often without even realizing he was doing it. And, as anyone who knew him can attest, Joe rarely entered a room quietly.
Beneath the big personality and unmistakable voice was a man with a deep faith. Joe was a devout Roman Catholic and attended church several times a week for as long as he was able. He spoke about wanting to become an angel when he died, so that he could continue to see everything even after his physical body could no longer take him where he wanted to go. His family hopes he is doing exactly that with the people who passed before him, and is now watching over those he loved most.
Joe was predeceased by his parents, Veronica and George Hrunka, and his sister, Dianna. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 52 years, Evelyn; his five children and their families, Christie O’Brien and her husband Adam, Diana Ehlers and her husband Michael, Laura Macaluso and her husband Anthony, Joey Hrunka and his partner Jeffrey Petersen, and Megan Turner and her husband David; his grandchildren, Kate O’Brien, Gracie Ehlers, Wesley Ehlers, Christian Macaluso, Adeline Macaluso and Tommy Turner; his sister Margaret Diamond and brother Michael Hrunka and his wife Stella; his brothers-in-law James Garrison, John Garrison, William Garrison and his wife Midge; and sisters-in-law Cathy Tourtillott and Joan Garrison; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends whose lives he touched along the way.
Joe lived loudly and left behind a lifetime of memories, stories, adventures, and a family who will miss his voice, unexpected visits and, most of all, simply having him here.
May he rest peacefully and may he always have plenty of sunshine, ocean and fish wherever he is.
Visitation was held Sept. 9 at Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Sept. 10 at St. James Church, 94 Broad St., Red Bank. Burial will follow at Fair View Cemetery in Middletown.
The article originally appeared in the September 10 – 16, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
