On Palm Sunday, March 28, 2021, Morton (Bud) Joy entered eternal rest to join his beloved wife Maureen. His life in Monmouth County began Nov. 13, 1934, in Atlantic Highlands, as the only son of Paul and Lillian Joy, originally from Maine. As the youngest of four, his three sisters, Gloria Joy Brown, Nancy Joy Rauch and Mary Joy Carhart, established the tone for what his future would hold, a life surrounded by a family of women whom he adored and who admired him.
Bud was a three sport varsity athlete at Atlantic Highlands High School, excelling at football, baseball and basketball. He attended Valley Forge Military Academy, where “The Correct Way” was instilled and anyone who knew or met Bud throughout his lifetime would witness. He was a gentleman in every sense of the word. Bud graduated from Upsala College and joined the family business, Better Housekeeping Shop in Red Bank, where he would spend his career as the second generation owner of the home appliance establishment.
Bud was introduced to the Maine woods at a very early age and became an avid hunter, never missing a hunting season for over 75 years. He enjoyed both the winter and summer seasons on Plunkett Pond in Benedicta, Maine, where he and his family vacationed. In addition to hunting and fishing, he was a scholar of history, a reading enthusiast, a lover of Marco Island, a fan of the New York Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals, and an aficionado of all things streaming. With the assistance of his grandchildren, he became an expert navigator and the “go-to” guy for the latest and greatest series or movies to watch!
Bud and Maureen’s love story began at the Sandlass Beach Club on Sandy Hook. They married in 1960 and built their life and family in the early years in Atlantic Highlands and later in Colts Neck. Their four daughters, Cynthia Joy, Patricia Joy Cundari, Diane Joy Belforti and Elizabeth Joy Sutphin, and their daughters’ families, were literally the “joys” of their lives and the focus and priority of what was truly the most important aspect and legacy of their life together – a strong family. His sons-in-law, Phil Cundari, Michael Belforti and Travis Sutphin, were the sons Bud and Maureen never had, and each had a unique bond with him, as did his daughter-in-law, Susan McClure.
Bud was the second generation family owner of Better Housekeeping Shop, a retail fixture in Red Bank, established by his father in 1939. He was known as a man of integrity by his employees, customers and the community, building lasting relationships that endured for decades. Bud led the business through economic and demographic shifts, including the establishments of malls and big box stores, and successfully transitioned the family business to its third generation of family ownership, a rare accomplishment in any business sector.
His seven grandchildren, Christina Joy Cundari, Philip Cundari, Shannon Joy Belforti, Corey Joy Belforti, Morgan Joy Belforti, Ryan Belforti, and Connor Sutphin were the greatest blessings of his life, bringing love, laughter and energy into his days. Their “PaPa” will continue to guide their lives as they embody the most important principles of his well-lived life of integrity.
His daughters were honored to care for their father during his recent cancer diagnosis. In his last note to them he said, “I love you beyond belief. Paraphrasing Lou Gehrig I feel like the luckiest man on earth. Your loving father. Remember we will meet again.”
The family invites friends to share memories and anecdotes on the John E. Day Funeral Home website at johnedayfuneralhome.com or through email to betterhousekeepingshop@gmail.com. There will be a private family service this week and a date for a celebration of Bud’s life will be forthcoming. A fund is established at Red Bank Catholic High School, the Maureen Joy Memorial Scholarship, at redbankcatholic.org/admissions/scholarships/alumni-memorial-scholarships for anyone who would like to make a donation in the memory of Bud.
The article originally appeared in the April 1 – 7, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.
