Plan for the Future
Joan Frances Vecchio of Morris Plains, NJ passed away on October 25th, 2024 due to a sudden illness, three days after her husband of 62 years, Ron Vecchio, passed away. She was 82.
Daughter of Archie and Josephine Cahill, Joan was born in the Bronx, NY in January 1942. Joan’s father Archie was a WWI veteran who served in France and as a result of injuries sustained during the war, was ill for most of her early childhood, passing when Joan was 6 years old. Despite this hardship, Joan remained a joyful force for her family, and she often spoke fondly about having a very happy childhood and of her mother’s strength and enduring love.
Joan was a 1959 graduate of Morristown High School, where she was co-captain of the twirl leading squad and had many friends who were drawn to her beautiful smile and positive energy. She had many lifelong friends who remained very close and dear to her, and she cherished the enduring friendships and love they all shared. Joan attended St. Elizabeth’s University in Morristown, NJ later in life, obtaining her bachelor’s degree at age 56.
Joan married in 1962 and was a loving mother who always put her children first. She also pursued full time employment at a time when it was still novel for women to be out in the workforce. In the early years, Joan worked as a model and Estee Lauder consultant at Bamberger’s in Morristown, NJ where she loved helping all her clients. In 1980, she began working at Warner-Lambert Pharmaceuticals (now Pfizer), in Morris Plains, NJ as a trusted Human Resources manager. Joan was well regarded for her professionalism and integrity throughout the company where she was a dedicated employee responsible for supporting the human resources needs of thousands of employees over the span of 20+ years. After she retired from Pfizer, she went on to work for the offices of Diagnostic Radiology, Morristown, NJ, where her colleagues and clients always spoke of her trustworthiness and care for others.
In the mid-1970s, she and her husband discovered the joy of running at a time when running, health, and fitness were not in the mainstream. Joan and Ron were trail blazers, inspiring their children and friends, and were affectionally known in the community as “the crazy, healthy family”. The rest is history. Over the years, Joan completed countless races of all distances – 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons, marathons, and triathlons. Joan maintained a respectable pace for her age group, with many victories in her age and gender division. She was always proud of her personal best New York City Marathon time of 3 hours and 50 minutes, an admirable accomplishment for an amateur runner who was also juggling a full-time job and raising three kids. In recent decades, Joan made a comeback at age 63 to successfully complete the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC in 2005. This achievement was a particularly joyous moment to savor, since her previous completed marathon was 18 years earlier. Joan ran this race alongside her middle daughter, smiling throughout the entire event as she often did while running. Joan also competed in the 2012 “Maine Cancer Foundation’s Tri for a Cure” Triathlon, completing the running leg of a relay team that included her two daughters. Their team, “Loose Cannons”, were truly inspired by the event and shared many laughs, some tears, and created forever memories. Joan’s heroes included many of the early running greats; Grete Waitz, Joanie Beniot Samuelson, and Bill Rodgers–all of whom she met in person at her numerous races.
Joan was very proud of her family, and always made it a point to celebrate her children’s and grandchildren’s accomplishments. Joan’s positive energy, competitive spirit, and never quit attitude was passed on to all of them and she cheered their marathons, triathlons, and her son’s ultra marathon events whenever she could. She attended both of her grandson’s Eagle Scout ceremonies, and her youngest grandson’s graduation from the United States Air Force Academy. Joan was the first person to visit after the arrival of her beloved granddaughter, Ella, in Manhattan. Their bond remained very special and after retirement, Joan commuted from New Jersey to Brooklyn two times a week to be with Ella. Joan recently reminisced that these were among the happiest years of her life.
Joan was also a loving and dedicated wife. The love story of her and her husband’s 62+ years together started when she walked into Cilo’s Market in Morris Plains where “Ronnie” worked and asked him out to a party. When Ron was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2017, they fought that battle as a team and enjoyed another seven years together despite the challenges.
Joan always enjoyed hiking, long walks, being in the surf of the ocean, the quiet beauty of the woods, and the night sky. She marveled at the greatness of the Cosmos and the miracle of nature. One of her favorite celestial events was the full moon. She would refer to this sight with the phrase “Bella Luna” and often shared that expression with her family that no matter where they were in the world, the same Bella Luna would illuminate a clear night sky for them.
Joan was a Bronx girl and an ardent New York Yankees baseball fan until the end. She loved her country, and had a fierce respect and admiration for our U.S. military troops and first responders. She was an avid reader of all things historical and of true-life human survival stories. Joan was inspired by the people in these stories, greatly admiring their endurance, determination, and providence to prevail. Joan was a strong and independent woman to her core. Joan also had a wonderfully funny side and often welcomed humor, even during the hardest times. Joan had a spiritual side, placing her trust in God and always being grateful for the blessings she and her family received. She shared that light and love with others, bringing hope, strength, and encouragement to everyone around her.
Joan’s sudden death only three days after her husband’s passing has been very difficult for her family and friends, but all may take solace in the fact that she and Ron are together with God and are both at peace.
Joan is predeceased by her beloved husband, Ron Vecchio, stepbrother and WWII Veteran, George “Sonny” Strongman Jr., and brother-in-law, Bob Tyler. She is survived by her older sister, Marie; her three children: Paul, Laura, and Andrea with her husband Bill; three grandchildren: Matthew, Jacob with his wife Jan, and Ella; as well as many loving nieces and nephews.
Donations may be made in Joan’s memory to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
